Ross County’s nine-match unbeaten run came to an end, with the Staggies deservedly beaten 2-1 by Partick Thistle at Victoria Park.
Thistle had the better chances throughout, but it looked promising for County when Michael Gardyne put them ahead on 21 minutes. However, the lead lasted just five minutes, with Frederic Frans’ wonder strike leaving Mark Brown helpless.
Thistle finished the first-half by far the stronger but could not find a way through until 54 minutes, when Brown failed to deal with Stephen O’Donnell’s shot from the inside-right flank.
The result means the Staggies fail to capitalise on second-bottom Motherwell’s 2-0 loss against Hamilton on Friday, however the Dingwall side remain six points ahead of the Steelmen ahead of next Saturday’s crucial encounter in Lanarkshire.
County made just one change from the side that defeated St Mirren in their last outing on April 13, with midfielder Jackson Irvine ruled out through suspension, being replaced by Filip Kiss.
Thistle named an unchanged side from the team that beat Motherwell 2-0 a fortnight ago. Both sides arrived into the encounter with momentum on their side, with County’s run of eight wins from their last nine making them the league’s undisputed form team, while the Jags had lost just one of their last five – a 2-0 defeat against leaders Celtic.
The best early chance fell the way of Thistle midfielder Ryan Stevenson, who fired over following Kallum Higginbotham’s corner on 12 minutes.
Despite the visitors looking the more threatening in the early stages, it was County who took the lead on 21 minutes. Jamie Reckord’s cross from the left was only partially cleared by Frederic Frans, with the ball falling for Gardyne to stroke home at the far post with the aid of a deflection.
Partick’s Lyle Taylor had the ball in the net moments later, only to be denied by an offside flag, however Thistle did level the scoring just five minutes after going behind, and in stunning style at that. Defender Frans strode forward, before unleashing a rasping low drive.
Thistle were close through further attempts by Stevenson and Callum Booth, but County held on to remain level at half-time.
Having weathered heavy pressure throughout the first 45 minutes, the warning did not appear to have been heeded when Lyle Taylor struck into the side netting after being played through by Stevenson.
The visitors deservedly took the lead for the first time in the game on 54 minutes, when the ball broke for O’Donnell at an acute angle on the right flank, and his half-volleyed attempt was fumbled in by Brown at the goalkeeper’s near post.
County struggled to threaten the Thistle goal, with Scott Fox virtually untested. Indeed it was the visitors who came closest to adding to the scoresheet when O’Donnell’s shot forced a fine save by Brown, but the Jags held out to claim a deserved victory that all but secures their Premiership status.