Partick Thistle took on Hibernian tonight still searching for their first home win in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Alan Archibald's side dominated possession but were unable to take advantage, with Kris Doolan spurning a glorious opportunity to take the lead from close range early in the second half.
Hibs weathered the storm and snatched all three points late on, thanks to a precise finish from Liam Craig.
Look back on a return to winning ways for Pat Fenlon's men with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening Scottish football fans. It may be international week but do not despair, there is still time for one clash from the SPL first, with Partick Thistle and Hibernian going to head-to-heard at Fir Park tonight!
Both sides go into tonight's clash with plenty of motivation to really give their seasons a huge boost with three precious points. Partick in particular are still looking for their first home win of the campaign, but should take heart from more than holding their own in the top flight so far.
Hibs are hoping to rebuild tonight after a six-match unbeaten run was abruptly ended by a 3-0 humbling at Inverness last weekend. Pat Fenlon's side had shown some signs of recovery before that slip, with an attractive passing style that should serve them well this evening.
Fenlon has assembled a squad with a nice blend of youth and experience, which led Lewis Stevenson to claim that it was the best he had played in at Easter Road last week. A bold claim indeed, but the Hibs are a side more that should be challenging for a place in the top six this season.
Partick may not have won at home yet this season but will go above Hibs into the top half with a victory tonight. Thistle boss Alan Archibald did see his side earn a battling point at St Johnstone last time out though, a result which should give them confidence ahead of tonight's tussle with Hibs.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received word on the starting's XI from Fir Hill, with Hibs deciding to name an unchanged side. A full look at both lineups will follow in just a few moments.
PARTICK: Fox, Sinclair, Balatoni, Muirhead, O'Donnell, Lawless, Welsh, Osbourne, Bannigan, Higginbotham, Doolan
HIBS: Williams, Stevenson, Nelson, Hanlon, McGivern, Robertson, Taiwo, Thomson, Craig, Heffernan, Collins
Partick have made two changes for tonight's clash, with Scott Fox back in between the sticks after recovering from a foot problem. Steven Lawless also returns to operate in what should be an advanced wide role, with Kris Doolan leading the line for the hosts.
Hibs meanwhile have slightly surprisingly named the same starting XI that capitulated in the second half against Inverness. Fenlon clearly believes his players can get back to winning ways this evening without changes, with James Collins continuing in attack alongside Paul Heffernan.
The two teams are out for their first competitive meeting in nine years. The Jags may have struggled at home but I think tonight looks ripe for their first home victory, with Lawless capable of coming back to help Archibald's side claim a 2-1 victory.
Partick get us underway shooting from left to right, and immediately send the ball long towards Doolan in a long diagonal that just misses its intended target.
The hosts win an early corner kick which is stood up towards the far post by Higginbotham, but Taylor-Sinclair concedes a foul as he leads with an elbow in an attempt to meet the ball at the far post. Encouraging signs early on for Thistle.
BACKPASS! Thistle have been presented with a free kick just six yards from goal after a backpass from McGivern, which Williams had little choice but to catch under pressure. Partick work the indirect free kick to Welsh, who has a low strike blocked by Thomson.
It's all Partick in the early going as Lawless drifts inside to try and link up with Doolan, but the striker just drifts offside as he bursts through. Hibs are yet to get going.
James Collins gets a break of the ball to lead Hibs on their first attack of the night, with Robertson providing support. Partick have plenty of bodies back and clear comfortably, with the slippy surface definitely a factor early on after heavy rain before kickoff.
Hibs win their first corner kick of the night which Liam Craig curls devilishly towards the near post. Fox is just able to parry clear, with Craig's second attempt on the follow-up a disappointment as his wayward delivery flies passed a packed penalty area.
Nelson puts in a perfectly-timed sliding challenge to deny Higginbotham after a fine sweeping move from the hosts, to have to settle for a corner kick. Higginbotham goes across to take and picks out Balatoni with a low pass that looked pre-planned, with the defender's strike cleared away by defender man on the line.
McGivern is penalised for a late tackle in midfield after attempting to retrieve possession, with Stevenson gave away cheaply with a square pass inside. Partick are staying patient in their approach as Osbourne switches out wide to Taylor-Sinclair, with his whipped delivery falling just behind Doolan.
SHOT! Higginbotham lets a throw-in run across his body and decides to take aim on the half-volley from 20 yards. His effort takes a bounce before sitting up awkwardly for Williams, who does well to hold.
A lull in play as Thistle fans mark the 23rd minute with applause for a supporter who sadly passed away this week. Partick have started confidently for a side who are yet to win at home this season, but have not been able to force a breakthrough.
Thistle press down the left-hand side and win a corner kick, but Higginbotham's delivery is a poor one and is claimed under no pressure by Williams. He quickly throws the ball out to Taiwo, allowing Hibs to establish a rare spell of sustained possession.
Williams is soon back in action as he claims a deflected drive from distance. Partick are keeping the ball nicely but not managing to find a killer pass in the final third, with Hibs happy to wait for the chance to counter for now.
Taylor-Sinclair is a consistent outlet for Hibs out wide, but once again his cross fails to find Doolan as Williams comes out quickly to snuff out the danger.
Robertson has a first strike at goal for Hibs, but never looks comfortable with a drive from distance that flies high and wide of the crossbar. Hibs are just starting to get on the ball in midfield, as Heffernan pulls an effort wide after picking up the pieces from Thomson's forward pass.
CHANCE! By far the best opening of the match as Thistle go within a whisker of breaking the deadlock. It was Doolan who created the opening with good movement, turning O'Donnell's cross just over the crossbar from around 10 yards out.
Doolan's persistence soon wins Thistle another corner, but a tame header from Taylor-Sinclair eventually trickles through to Williams. Hibs will just want to get into the break and regroup now.
HALF TIME Partick 0-0 Hibs
The referee decides there is no need for added time at the end of a competitive first half at Fir Park. Partick have largely controlled the match so far but are still searching for their first goal from open play at home this season.
Watching Partick this evening it is hard to believe they have struggled so much at home this season. The Jags look confident and have pushed the full-back's high on both sides, but have just been unable to provide Doolan with credible service in the final third.
Hibs may have struggled to keep the ball but were largely untested, with Doolan's strong header and the early indirect free kick the only genuine moments of concern. Fenlon's side need to show more craft after the break, and perhaps play higher up the pitch and press the ball in more advanced positions.
BENCH WATCH! Both sides have attacking options waiting in reserve if the game remains goalless going into the closing stages. Hibs may well turn to experienced forward Rowan Vine late on, while Ross Forbes or Christie Elliot like likely alternatives for Partick.
Both teams are back out at Fir Park. You feel that this is a wonderful opportunity for Partick to get their first home win of the season, with the hosts definitely enjoying the better of a competitive match played in driving rain.
Hibs get the second half underway but it's Partick who have the first positive moment, with Higginbotham winning the ball in midfield before smashing high and wide from a least 35 yards out. Balatoni looks to be in some discomfort for the hosts, limping in defence but playing on for now.
The rain is getting heavier if anything as conditions remain slippery under foot. As Williams takes goal kick it looks like Balatoni will be fine to continue, with Osbourne bringing the ball forward for the hosts but finding Higginbotham in an offside position.
MISS! Doolan has just spurned a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock, after Hibs were caught out by a punt over the top. Nelson attempted to meet the ball but completely missed an attempted clearance, leaving Doolan clear in the final third. The striker had time to pick his spot but could only shoot straight at Williams from 12 yards, with the goalkeeper staying big to make an important save.
Hibs smash wide from range at the other end through Heffernan shortly after that Doolan miss, perhaps the match is starting to open up a little bit. McGivern is then lectured by the referee for a strong challenge with a bit of afters out wide, but escapes without a caution.
Nelson goes some way to redeeming himself for that earlier error by blocking a strike from Taylor-Sinclair. The full-back had burst forward and cut inside on the edge of the area, with his curling effort deflected behind by a brave block from the central defender.
Partick have a strong penalty shout turned down after Welsh went down under a challenge from Hanlon. The referee Kevin Clancy was just yards away and disagrees with the home crowd, waving away protests after deciding that the defender made enough contact with the ball in a last-ditch tackle.
DOUBLE SUB! Hibs made made two changes in an effort to get a foothold in this match. Taiwo and Collins are with players to be replaced, with Tudor-Jones and Zoubir on in their place. Hibs need something to change in midfield after failing to keep the ball so far this evening.
SUB! Partick boss Archibald has quickly responded with a swap of his own, with Lawless hooked off after a relatively quiet return to the starting XI. Elliot Christie comes on his place and will likely place much further forward, so a positive change for the hosts.
CHANCE! Higgginbotham is the latest player to spurn an effort from close range as Partick's frustration in front of goal continues. His snatched effort lacked composure at the far post, dragging an effort well wide with the outside of his boot. Thistle have created enough chances to be well clear in this match now, but failed to take a single one.
GOAL! Partick 0-1 Hibs (Craig)
Wouldn't you just know it, with their first shot on target Hibs have broken the deadlock, quite incredible. Liam Craig is the man who delivered a brilliant finish, meeting Zoubir's cutback with an effort curled perfectly into the top corner. To say Hibs lead against the run of play would be an understatement!
Hibs break and threaten a second as Heffernan forces Fox to gather a drive from a tight angle at the second attempt. What a turnaround at Fir Park, the hosts looked stunned!
SUBSTITUTION! Partick make a change as they look to salvage something from this match, with Baird coming on for Stuart Bannigan, who looks less then impressed with being replaced.
YELLOW CARD! Welsh picks up a needless booking after barging over Thomson, with the caution more for dissent than anything else after arguing with the referee.
SUBSTITUTION: Partick make another positive change as Higginbotham replaces Forbes. The player's first action nearly results in an equaliser, with his corner kick missed by Doolan in the six-yard box as the forward slipped over.
The goalscorer Craig has gone down clutching his leg after a heavy fall, hobbling back into position as Partick come forward. Once again the hosts fail to pick out a final ball with options open, allowing Thomson to retreat and intercept.
Craig recovers and neatly creates a second Hibs goal, darting inside before finding Zoubir. The Frenchman shifts onto his right foot before shooting low and hard towards the corner, with his effort well held by Fox.
SAVES! Williams has just made two superb saves to maintain his clean sheet. First of all the keeper turned Elliot's effort away from point-blank range with a reaction stop, before tipping a powerful strike from Forbes beyond the near post from range. Partick can scarcely believe they are still trailing.
SUB! Hibs make a late change to turn down the clock as we head into stoppage time, with Sam Stanton replacing Robertson. There will be three minutes of added time.
YELLOW CARD! Stevenson commits a cynical late foul just outside the penalty area, giving Partick one last chance to respond. Substitute Forbes steps up but his effort is woeful, curling away high over the far post. That should just about do it.
FULL TIME Partick 0-1 Hibs
Hibs claim three hard-fought points despite struggling throughout, digging in to keep Partick's miserable home run alive. Pat Fenlon's side climb to fifth in the table with that success, extending their recent record to just one defeat in their last seven games.
Partick will scarcely believe they have failed to score tonight, coming up short in a battle between Edinburgh and Glasgow. It's back to the drawing board at home for Archibald's men, who are still without a win at Fir Park this season.
Well that brings to an end our live coverage of the SPL this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to stay with us all week for build-up to a crucial round of World Cup qualifiers.
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
