Archibald delighted as Partick battle to victory over Ross County

Partick boss Alan Archibald admitted his side were forced to grind out a result in difficult conditions as they moved off the foot of the Scottish Premiership table with a 3-1 win at Ross County.

After a goalless first-half in swirling wind at the Global Energy Stadium, the Jags made the breakthrough five minutes after the interval when Liam Lindsay powered home a header from a corner.

Kris Doolan doubled the lead with another header just after the hour mark and Chris Erskine put the result beyond doubt with a lovely finish in the 78th minute before Liam Boyce nodded in a late consolation.

Archibald felt Partick put in better performances in a defeat at Celtic on Tuesday and last weekend's draw at Hearts but was delighted they were able to seal all three points in their third successive away match.

He said: “I don't know how it looked from the stands, but it was tough to play in so I'm delighted.

“The conditions were hard but I thought we managed them really well. It was a very even first half, but I was very pleased with the second half performance - and the second goal was key.

“We've been resolute away from home but didn't get the rewards at Parkhead the other night after a good performance and Tynecastle before.

“We probably played better in those two games, but (the game at Ross County) was more about a battle, endeavour, a gritty performance - and scoring at the right times. The only negative was their goal.”

His opposite number Jim McIntyre bemoaned the conditions as his side were beaten for the first time in seven matches.

The Ross County boss had presided over a six-game unbeaten run - with two wins and four draws - prior to Friday night but he acknowledged Partick deserved to walk away with the spoils.

McIntyre said: “It was a scrappy, scrappy game. It was very hard to play in those conditions, I think both teams toiled with that. I didn't think there was anything in it up until two set plays, and we've not done our jobs.

“It's really disappointing. In the last six games we've played really well and done a lot of things well. It was a different type of football, but we didn't play the conditions as well as Thistle did. I thought they did that better than us, which was disappointing.”