Another week, another promotion contender ticked off and another managerial casualty at the hands of Ross County.
Last week it was Csaba Laszlo whose troublesome time at Dundee United was ended with a 5-1 thumping by the Staggies, this time it was Partick manager Alan Archibald who paid the price for a 2-0 home reverse.
Ross County did not have it as easy as against Dundee United but they held Partick Thistle comfortably at arm’s length, with Josh Mullin and Billy Mckay again proving their match-winners.
They are beginning to justify their tag as promotion favourites and their next league game against Ayr in Dingwall on October 20 is set to be a cracker.
Partick and County were the two teams who contested a fraught relegation battle at the bottom of the Premiership last season with Thistle saving their skins on the final day of the campaign only to be beaten in the play-offs by Livingston.
Of the two, County have made the better adjustment to life in the second tier and look more equipped to make an immediate return.
County’s energy and aggression in midfield was giving them the upper hand, with Jamie Lindsay and Mullin quick to close down those in possession and Ross Draper and Iain Vigurs providing the bite.
Mullin’s persistence brought him the opening goal on 14 minutes. After seeing his shot blocked he kept going and collected the free ball to slot under keeper Jamie Sneddon.
Thistle fans grew impatient with their side’s reluctance to play forward and the combative way County dealt with any attacks.
Vigurs was controlling the game from the middle of the park, showing a willingness to take the ball in tight spaces and sliding passes around defenders into the runs of team-mates. He was exactly the type of figure Thistle were lacking, with their most dynamic player – Chris Erskine – showing some drive but operating further up the pitch.
The lead was doubled on 56 minutes when Niall Keown blocked Draper’s header with his arm, giving Mckay the chance to score from the spot. He duly netted his fourth league goal of the season.
Mckay looks a man revitalised in recent outings and back to the form that made him an in-demand striker with Caley Thistle.
Being isolated and chasing high balls – as was common during last season and his second spell with Inverness – is not his forte.
What he does well is hassle defenders, work tirelessly to fashion space for himself, and bring the advanced midfield players into the game.
He looks a far better fit in this system under Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson.
Draper’s late dismissal for a second yellow card was the only blemish on an otherwise positive afternoon for a confident Ross County.
Partick, meanwhile, announced on Saturday night that they had parted company with Alan Archibald – Scotland’s second longest-serving boss – following the defeat.
Archibald had been in charge since January 2013.