Partick Thistle 0
Ayr United 1
League Play Off (Quarter Final Leg One)

Match Report

Ayr United will take a narrow advantage into the second leg of the Scottish Premiership play-off quarter-final at home on Friday after a hard-earned win at Partick Thistle.

As expected, the first leg at Firhill was a cagey affair with neither side wanting to expose themselves at the opening hurdle of a potentially gruelling play-off process.

But Jamie Murphy got himself forward to connect with fellow winger Connor McLennan’s cushioned cross in the second half to send the side who finished third - eight points ahead of Thistle - in front.

The Jags opened up a little in pursuit of an equaliser, but failed to truly trouble Josh Clarke in the visiting goal.

However, they might feel aggrieved about not getting a penalty after two appeals - one in each half - were brushed away.

First Robbie Crawford felt he was pushed, and then Ben Stanway protested about contact which put him to the turf, but referee David Dickinson was unmoved.

Led by interim co-managers Brian Graham and Mark Wilson, Thistle looked a little leggy after their Friday night win when they dug deep against Livingston to ensure they made the play-offs.

And they will need to show the same level of fight this Friday at Somerset Park - live on BBC Scotland - if they are to turn this tie around and set up a semi-final next week against Livingston.

Match report written by BBC