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Last weekend's defeat against swashbuckling Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park signalled the end of Partick Thistle’s six game unbeaten run. The Jags - still wedged in third place - could ill afford to feel sorry for themselves as a trip to Scotland’s newest city to take on Dunfermline Athletic lay in wait, with the Pars hot on their heels, just four points behind the Maryhill outfit.

There were no changes for Thistle as Kris Doolan selected the same starting eleven for the trip to East End Park. Jags mainstay Stuart Bannigan retained his place on the substitute bench as he continues to recover from sickness. Dunfermline had an illness plight of their own to contend with as gaffer James McPake made the decision to cancel Thursday’s training session in an attempt to prevent the virus from ravaging through his squad. The Pars would ultimately have to name three teenagers alongside two goalkeepers on the bench with Ben Summers and Craig Wighton being notable omissions from the matchday squad.

Thistle started the match the brighter of the two sides with Aidan Fitzpatrick and Blair Alston each having pot-shots at the Dunfermline goal inside the opening ten minutes. That early dominance would soon pay off, as the away side took the lead in the 11th minute through left-back Harry Milne.

The flashy Fitzpatrick played his corner quickly to the feet of fellow wide-man Stevie Lawless. The former Par taking a touch before floating the ball to the back post in search of Milne. The Jags number three bullied his opposite number to ensure he got on the end of Lawless’ cross to bullet his header in off the underside of the bar. Delight for the Banchory born full-back as he looks to be returning to the level that saw him voted into last season's SPFL Championship team of the year.

Dunfermline wouldn’t let the heads drop and they very nearly fashioned an instant reply through ex-Thistle loanee Alex Jakubiak. The forward receiving a pass from Michael O’Halloran at the edge of the area, however, a heavy first touch from Jakubiak meant he was unable to ever bring the ball under full control before flashing his effort wide of Jamie Sneddon’s post. A let-off for the visitors.

Partick Thistle’s second goal of the afternoon would once again come from a corner kick. Fitzpatrick opting to send the ball into the box on this occasion, his delivery looked set to be an easy claim for Pars goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet as he rose uncontested to collect the cross. The shot-stopper inexplicably fumbled the ball and Milne was on hand to head the ball into the path of Scottish Championship top scorer Brian Graham, who displayed predatory instinct to stab the ball into the empty net for 2-0 right on half time.

McPake’s side refused to go down without a fight and they looked to catch Thistle on the counterattack. Lewis McCann breaking away at pace before sliding Matty Todd through one on one with Sneddon. The Pars playmaker with a piledriver set for the top corner only to be denied by a breathtaking fingertip save from Sneddon diverting the shot off the woodwork and behind for a corner.

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The persistence of the tenacious Todd would finally bear fruit on 82 minutes. The Dunfermline number ten poking a first time shot off the crossbar and into the net to give the Pars a fighting chance of snatching a point.

Todd’s goal had lifted the home support and anxiety was starting to creep in for those of a Thistle persuasion. With a tweak to the backline inviting more and more pressure, it was only a matter of time before Dunfermline created a big chance to draw the game level. Seasoned-pro O’Halloran rolling back the years, getting to the byline before drilling a cross into the six-yard box. The cross - bobbling across the face of goal - was diverted onto the foot of the post which allowed Sneddon to pounce on the loose ball and run the clock down. An audible sigh of relief could be heard from the noisy travelling contingent at the opposite end of the stadium as they knew their side had done enough to bring home three points.

An impressive defensive showing from Doolan’s Jags as they exhibited immense character to see the victory over the line at what is a notoriously difficult place to go in East End Park. Doolan has added reason to be proud of his side's efforts as the Jags finished the game with five Thistle Weir youth academy graduates on the pitch - once again proving that the gaffer isn’t afraid to give youth a chance when the time is right.

The win in the kingdom of Fife gives Thistle a seven-point cushion over their opponents and the Jags will be looking to continue adding to that margin as they hunt down Dundee United and Raith Rovers with the aim of making this title charge a three-horse race.