19th Apr 2014 Kilmarnock 1 Partick Thistle 2 (SPFL Premiership - game 34)

matches:2013-14: ← 43game 4445 →

	Allan Johnston	Alan Archibald	36y, 9m, 6d

		Conrad Balatoni; Prince Buaben; James Craigen
		Gabriel Piccolo; Gary Fraser; Lyle Taylor

Vitalijs Maksimenko (0-1, 53 mins)		Kallum Higginbotham (1-1, 56 mins); Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (2-1, 84 mins)
none (0-1, 53 mins)		none (1-1, 56 mins); Kallum Higginbotham (2-1, 84 mins)
Alexei Eremenko; Manuel Pascali		Paul Gallacher; Kallum Higginbotham

Manuel Pascali (Sammy Clingan, 86 mins); Rory McKenzie (Robbie Muirhead, 86 mins)		Kris Doolan (Lyle Taylor, 70 mins); Kallum Higginbotham (Christie Elliott, 86 mins); Chris Erskine (Steven Lawless, 89 mins)

	Craig Samson	Paul Gallacher	34y, 8m, 3d
	Jeroen Tesselaar	Jordan McMillan	25y, 6m, 3d
	Jackson Irvine	Aaron Taylor-Sinclair	23y, 0m, 11d
	Kris Boyd	Conrad Balatoni	23y, 2m, 23d
	Ross Barbour	Lee Mair	33y, 4m, 10d
	Rory McKenzie	Stuart Bannigan	21y, 7m, 2d
	Alexei Eremenko	Prince Buaben	25y, 11m, 27d
	Vitalijs Maksimenko	James Craigen	23y, 0m, 22d
	Michael Gardyne	Kris Doolan	27y, 4m, 8d
	Manuel Pascali	Chris Erskine	27y, 2m, 11d
	future Jag Lee Ashcroft	Kallum Higginbotham	24y, 10m, 4d

			26y, 4m, 6d

	Antonio Reguero	Scott Fox	26y, 9m, 22d
	Sammy Clingan	Lyle Taylor	24y, 0m, 21d
	Chris Johnston	Steven Lawless	23y, 0m, 7d
	William Gros	Gabriel Piccolo	24y, 6m, 4d
	Sean Clohessy	Christie Elliott	22y, 10m, 24d
	future Jag Craig Slater	Gary Fraser	19y, 9m, 17d
	future Jag Robbie Muirhead	George Moncur	20y, 8m, 1d

TTA report

Craigen hit the bar (7) then Doolan's shot was tipped over. Killie scored (53) but Higginbotham rammed home a free-kick (56). A shot beat Gallacher but bounced on the line twice (57). Taylor-Sinclair scored with a header close in (84). Fine win. Gallagher had some vital saves. Rollicking entertainment.

Media report

19-Apr-2014, bbc.com

A last-gasp goal clinched a crucial win for Partick Thistle after a thrilling encounter at Rugby Park. As both teams went for the jugular, the home side got themselves in front through a neat Vitalijs Maksimenko finish from a corner. But they were pegged back as a Kallum Higginbotham free-kick evaded the impressive Craig Samson. And, with the game in the balance, an Aaron Taylor-Sinclair header gave Thistle the points. They now jump two points clear of Ross County in the table and out of the relegation play-off spot.

In a match that was gripping from the start, it was the visitors who got out of the traps quicker, coming close with a strike that rattled Samson's woodwork. With Allan Johnston's Kilmarnock charges firmly on the back-foot, their opponents continued to press and Kris Doolan could have easily got his name on the scoresheet after firing in a shot that looked destined for the net, only for Samson to tip the ball over the bar. The hosts picked up the pace and could have netted against the run of play when front-man Kris Boyd broke through, having shown Lee Mair a clean pair of heels. He pulled the trigger, but goalkeeper Paul Gallacher rushed from his goal to dive at the feet of the prolific striker. As the half progressed, an ill-tempered feud developed between Killie's Alexei Eremenko and Kallum Higginbotham. Things came to a head when, after the Russian playmaker was accused of a dive following a Higginbotham challenge that earned the defender a yellow card, Gallacher stormed up the pitch to vent his frustration to referee Brian Colvin. As protests continued over Higginbotham's booking, Kilmarnock launched an attack and should have taken the lead from their best chance of the first 45. Boyd had the target in his sights after he was teed up nicely, only to scuff his effort.

After the break, with both teams giving their all in an end-to-end contest, the deadlock was finally broken through Maksimenko. Eremenko, who had been a thorn in the side of Alan Archibald's side, turned provider as he floated in a corner to the far post for Maksimenko, who was on-hand to drill a shot into the net. The Rugby Park support didn't have a lead to cheer for long, though, as the busy Higginbotham brought the Jags level. His perfectly weighted free-kick on the edge of the box nestled just inside the left-hand post of Samson, who was beaten from the moment the ball was struck. As the chances came thick and fast at both ends, Kilmarnock looked odds-on to snatch all three points when Michael Gardyne skilfully chipped Gallacher. However, the goalkeeper managed to clear at the second attempt - much to the dismay of Kilmarnock players adamant the ball had crossed the line after hitting the bar. With the clock ticking towards 90, it was Aaron Taylor-Sinclair who was the hero as he guided Thistle to a vital victory. With only his second goal of the season, he sent the away support wild with a header from two yards that left Samson stranded.

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