PARTICK'S hopes of snatching the First Division crown and promotion the SPL were left in tatters yesterday after a lifeless and insipid performance resulted in a fourth home defeat in their last six at Firhill.
At the same time, Queen of the Sou
th all but dispelled any lingering doubts that they may be facing the drop.
The stakes were high for both sides with Jags manager Ian McCall openly admitting his "target" at the start of the campaign was to improve on their sixth placing of last term, but just one win at Firhill since Christmas has been the main catalyst in Thistle not having already leapfrogged long-time leaders St Johnstone.
Three defeats in their last six outings in Maryhill before yesterday saw chinks in the Firhill fortress develop. And their fears were to be further increased after 12 minutes.
Queen of the South, with just two away wins in their last eleven on their travels, took the lead when Bob Harris's corner from the right was headed out as far as Neil MacFarlane.
The central midfielder's cross was partially cleared by Alan Archibald for striker Stephen Dobbie to lash the ball high into the net on the angle from 16-yards. It was a magnificent strike.
Queens made it two, in 53 minutes to effectively wrap up the points when substitute Steve Tosh, with his first touch, curled a fabulous 18-yard angled shot high past Tuffey, who was left stranded off his line. It was exactly what Thistle deserved.
