Ross County 1 Partick Thistle 0

Liam Boyce scored his sixth goal of the season to earn Ross County a 1-0 victory in a close encounter with Partick Thistle at the Global Energy Stadium. Boyce struck in the 18th minute when he got on the end of a high and swinging ball from Jamie Reckord to head powerfully into the net for the goal that settled the Premiership clash. Thistle tried hard to get back into the game and goalkeeper Scott Fox was forced to pull off a couple of decent saves, denying Sean Welsh and substitute Robbie Muirhead. County started well and Brian Graham had the first shot on goal in the sixth minute which which flew well wide of Tomas Cerny's right-hand post. At the other end Callum Booth broke into the County box but Reckord made a timely tackle to thwart the Thistle full-back. The visitors were almost in again in the 13th minute but Fox was quick off his line to win the ball on the edge of his goal area. The home side took the lead five minutes later when Reckord's delivery presented Boyce with the chance he took well, powering the ball home from eight yards. County were on top and Cerny did well to tip away a whipped in cross from Raffaele De Vita. Thistle were still a threat, however, and Steven Lawless played a cross-field pass to Welsh in the 25th minute, with the attacker taking a touch and letting fly at goal. Fox dived to his right to turn the ball away. The home side continued to do most of the attacking and Michael Gardyne tried to pick out Graham in the 39th minute but the big County striker was penalised for a foul on Fox. County were on the front foot from the restart and after a Reckord free-kick fell to Woods who sent a low shot fizzing past Cerny's left-hand post. The home side were pushing for a second and Chris Robertson headed just over in the 62nd minute following a Woods corner kick. Thistle were far from out of it and a shot from substitute Muirhead deflected behind for a corner. Muirhead had another effort on target in the 85th minute which Fox did well to smother. It was a nervy time for the hosts. The Thistle substitute had another chance to hit the target three minutes later but he blasted his effort high over the bar from the edge of the 18-yard box. County were living dangerously and Fox had to spring off his line to block a Kevin Nisbet effort, then Lawless fired one over from close range as time ran out for the visitors.