Partick Thistle 2-0 Queen of the South: Keep barking little doggie

I'm not quite sure why I dislike McQuilken so much. Perhaps it's his bruising, thuggish demeanour, or his petulant little temper tantrums whenever something doesn't go his way. Or perhaps it's his spiteful, cowardly method of clearing the ball when it's going for a throw-in, by booting it straight at the first person in the crowd he sees.

That aside, two-nil really wasn't a fair reflection of the game. Queens' play in the early stages of the second half merited at least a goal, while Thistle's continuing inability to get a goal from our strikers remains a worry. But at the same time, I'm not convinced McKinlay's goal-that-wasn't genuinely was offside.

This was a win we desperately needed, if only to bring some confidence back to a side which has been on shaky ground in recent weeks. And there were some encouraging signs on display at Firhill, where sadly the crowd took longer to warm up than the players.

MoM honours went, according to the match sponsor, to Liam Buchananananan, but I'd probably have picked Paul Paton. He's still occasionally guilty of needing two touches to control a ball when one will do, but he played with a drive and swagger yesterday that showed why McCall made the right move bringing him in. His crossing into the box and across goal from the right hand channel was a real danger, and his drive and vision going forward impressed. There's the makings of a great player there for Thistle, if he's given time and coaching to strengthen his game.

McKinlay proved an able deputy for Twaddle at left back, as part of a scratch-built defence exposed by injuries and suspensions. They weren't helped by a midfield with a tendency to go missing more often than not. Rowson's form fluctuates from sublime to ridiculous, while Gary Harkins continues to frustrate - nowhere more illustrated than against Queens, where time and time again he overcooked his run or missed the obvious man, and contriving to give the ball away as a result.

Queens look a good side, albeit a very physical one, but also a petulant one - McQuilkin's behaviour I've already touched on, but Craig Barr's playacting and Thomson's attempt to unscrew Liam Buchananananan's head were also particularly unsporting. And it's sad to highlight those, because going forward they were a damned impressive, slick and creative team which looked fitter and faster than our lot to the ball. Steven Dobbie especially caught the eye with his neat play for Queens.

Kudos too to the Queens fans, who came in good numbers and even better voice to provide an almost constant chorus of support from the Viagra Stand. Given how slow Thistle fans have been of late to get behind the side - unless the TV cameras are there, interestingly - it's always embarrassing to hear a chorus of 'shall we sing a song for you?'

Ultimately though, we merited a win, and god knows we need it. With the bi-annual visit of the Gypsies in a week's time, Thistle need to get back to form, especially given how insanely tight this league's becoming. I genuinely fancy the title race to go to the wire, and there's little doubt Queen of the South will be in the reckoning at that point. So this was essential.

Right, one down, Bring on the travellers.