Partick Thistle 1 Ross County 3

Ross County clinched back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they climbed off the foot of the Scottish Premiership with a 3-1 success over Partick at Firhill. The Staggies picked up their first victory in 13 attempts last week against Motherwell, and they followed that up with just their fifth triumph of the campaign after Craig Curran, Raffaela De Vita and Marcus Fraser all netted against the Maryhill outfit. Thistle striker Lyle Taylor pulled one back with his side two down but it could have been an even sorrier day for Alan Archibald's team, who have now lost five on the spin, had Curran not missed a spot-kick 10 minutes after the break. County now go level with Motherwell and St Mirren on 18 points but overtake both their relegation rivals on the back of their superior goalscoring exploits. The confidence produced by that 3-2 win over Ian Baraclough's side a week ago was obviously still cursing through County veins as they kicked off in Glasgow's west end. And the Dingwall side made the most of their bright start 11 minutes in after Thistle shot themselves in the foot. County midfielder Michael Gardyne's cross from the right looked harmless but Jags defender Federic Frans slammed his clearance against team-mate Dan Seaborne and watched with horror as the ricochet bounced back across goal for Curran, who managed to find the net despite making a meal of his finish. Scott Boyd had to dive in to block a Ryan Stevenson strike to preserve the Staggies' lead, while Partick midfielder Gary Fraser somehow failed to connect with Christie Elliott's fine cross into the mixer from wide on the left. County wanted a second and should have added to their lead midway through the opening half. Paul Quinn was inexplicably left all alone in the Jags box as Martin Woods swung over a corner and was even allowed to chest the ball down without facing a challenge. However, the hosts were given a major let-off as the big defender pulled his volley wide. Taylor wasted another Partick attempt at a leveller when he shot high and wide from Stevenson's through-ball, but it took a stunning save on the stretch from Staggies stopper Mark Brown to deny the former Hearts midfielder's header soon after. Archibald decided he needed some extra fire power and sent for Kris Doolan at half-time as he hooked youngster Declan McDaid. But it was County who could have done with some extra oomph as they blew the chance to go two up nine minutes into the second period. Seaborne lunged in on Liam Boyce in the box and it was an easy decision for referee Stephen Finnie to award the penalty and book the offender. But Paul Gallacher barely had to move as he fell on top of Curran's limp spot-kick. However, the keeper did not have a hope as De Vita did score after 65 minutes. Gardyne did well not to let Fraser and his cynical attempt to haul him down slow his progress through the middle. Keeping his head up, the former Dundee United midfielder slotted in De Vita, who swept home a fine finish from the corner of the box. While the Italian wheeled away in celebration, Finne made sure Fraser's name was taken. Partick hit back within three minutes as Taylor nodded home at the near post from Kallum Higganbotham's corner. But there was to be no comeback as again the Jags defence opened up for their visitors after 71 minutes. Right-back Fraser was allowed to play the ball up to Boyce and while the Northern Irishman held off O'Donnell, Fraser darted forward to collect a return pass before drilling a low shot past Gallacher. The home fans booed loudly at the final whistle and with every right. Their side now sit just seven points above the bottom three and could find themselves battling for survival if they do not rediscover a winning touch.