Partick Thistle 2, Dunfermline Athletic 0.

A BLEAK day in Glasgow saw Athletic slump to defeat against bottom club Partick Thistle.

The Dunfermline performance matched the conditions and brought little pre Christmas joy to the 522 away fans.

A goal in each half was enough to sink Allan Johnston’s man who created few opportunities throughout the match.

The defeat means Dunfermline are just six points from the bottom with Thistle leapfrogging both Falkirk and Alloa in the table.

Johnston started with the same starting eleven from the team who got three points at home to Morton last weekend. The only change was Mark Durnan who was included on the bench in place of Stuart Morrison.

The home side dominated play in the first half however things could have been different if two close shaves of the woodwork had made it into the net.

Athletic were on the defence within the opening minute and Lee Robinson was called into action to stop a long range effort.

El Bakhtaoui had a chance at the other end minutes later when a dangerous ball across the box from Muirhead came to him however he was unbalanced and his weak effort went wide.

The Pars had picked up their game and looked to be taking control however were rocked just after the ten minute mark when a headed clearance came out to Blair Spittal who was unchallenged and blasted the ball past Robinson from just outside the box.

With increased confidence after the goal, Thistle continued to cause problems and Robinson came to the rescue soon later when he parried a Miles Storey effort before Mbuyi-Mutombo headed over.

The man between the Pars sticks had to be alert again after half an hour. He got down quickly and blocked a Doolan chance to give Dunfermline another let off.

Muirhead nearly put the Pars level when he hit a clearance first time but his long range shot skimmed the top of the bar.

Devine was the next to be stopped by the woodwork when he got his head on a Muirhead corner in the 42nd minute.

Dunfermline had another chance to go in level at half time when Ryan Williamson put in a great cross in additional time. El Bakhtaoui rose to nod the ball in however Jags keeper Sneddon palmed the ball over.

The second half provided little hope for Dunfermline and Robinson was soon called on when Storey somehow found himself one on one. The Pars keeper stayed strong and blocked the chance before the ball was cleared.

Minutes later, however, the Jags doubled their lead with a somewhat scrappy opportunity. Storey managed to get a shot on goal which went under Robinson who frantically attempted to clear the ball which appeared to trickle over the line.

Robinson and his teammates were adamant that the ball hadn’t crossed the line however their objections fell on deaf ears.

Allan Johnston reacted with a double substitution, bringing on Beadling and Hippolyte for Vincent and Craigen.

This nearly brought rewards when El Bakhtaoui go the ball in the box and pulled it back to Hippolyte who hit it first time, however was too high.

A Hippolyte free kick in the 70th minute could have helped Dunfermline’s efforts however it curled over to the despair of the away fans.

Partick Thistle Sneddon, Elliott, Penrice, McGinty, Spittal, Bannigan, Doolan (Erskine 79), Mbuyi-Mutombo (McCarthy 43), Storey (Quitongo 87), Jefferies, Scottbie.

Subs not used: Stevenson, Keown, Storer, Ntambwe.

Goals: Spittal (11), Storey (56)

Booked: Bannigan, McCarthy

Dunfermline Athletic Robinson, Williamson, Longridge J, Ashcroft, Devine, Thomson, El Bakhataoui, Vincent (Beadling 59), Craigen (Hippolyte 59), Keena, Muirhead (McCann 85).

Subs not used: Gill, Martin, Durnan, Martin. Booked: Muirhead, Hippolyte

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Attendance: 2566