Ross County 1
Partick Thistle 0
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Source unknown.

Ross County maintained their excellent run of form with their fourth successive Scottish Premiership victory in a row to open up a gap on Motherwell and St Mirren. Craig Curran scored the only goal with a precise close-range header after Thistle goalkeeper Paul Gallacher had blocked a Liam Boyce effort. Kallum Higginbotham added to the Jags' woes with a bad foul on Michael Gardyne which earned him a straight red card by match referee Alan Muir. It was never comfortable for County but they held on to secure a valuable three points.
Conditions may have played a role in a lack of attacking threat from both sides but Ross County gave themselves a wonderful platform with the opener. Raffaele De Vita was central to the goal with a beautifully weighted ball onto Boyce's chest. The striker took it down but Paul Gallacher did well to block the striker’s effort.
The ball spun into the air for the advancing Craig Curran, who, headed the ball into the corner of the net. Thistle responded well and Kallum Higginbotham came close to hauling his side level.
A short corner released Thistle's most creative influence down the bye-line and he found an angle to strike but the ball clipped a defender and flew past.
Jim McIntyre's side had more purpose at the start of the second period and Michael Gardyne could not turn enough to get an early strike on target. Moments later, Thistle shot themselves in the foot when Kallum Higginbotham had a moment of madness that ended his participation in the match.
As Michael Gardyne advanced over the halfway line, Higginbotham came straight through him from behind and ended up straight up the tunnel for an early bath, with match referee Alan Muir showing no hesitation.
County defended doggedly and almost snatched a second when Jake Jervis knocked a header into Filip Kiss' path only for Paul Gallacher to race off his line and stop.
Then, in a crazy episode, Paul Gallacher found himself beaten on the touchline. The ball raced across goal but no County player could get on the end of it to seal the points.
It is another massive victory for Ross County who are now clear of the bottom following a superb run of results.
But Partick Thistle are facing the reality that they are now very much in this relegation fight.