Gary Locke left embarrassed as Kilmarnock are battered by Patrick Thistle

Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke branded their 5-2 defeat to Partick Thistle in the Premiership an embarrassment.

Killie earned plaudits last week for holding Celtic to a goalless draw at Parkhead, but Locke believes his players deserve nothing but criticism following the capitulation against Thistle at Rugby Park.

Kris Doolan helped himself to an early double, before Josh Magennis pulled a goal back for Killie. Mark Connolly was also on the scoresheet for the home side but a Gary Fraser strike and a double from Robbie Muirhead - his first goals for Thistle - ensured a comfortable win.

It was embarrassing at times and the players know that,'' Locke said.

It was the same team who did well at Parkhead last week barring one change. They got plaudits last week but they will get stick this week and rightly so.

I said to the players, you can't just turn up one week out of three. You've got to turn up every week because it's a tough league. We didn't do the ugly side of the game this time and that's why we got beat.

As a manager it's so frustrating, especially at home. To lose five goals in any game is an embarrassment.''

Locke added: The goals we lost were terrible goals apart from Robbie's strike from 35 yards out.

You hold your hands up and say it's a fantastic goal but every other goal, if we defend properly, we don't lose those goals.

It's certainly a bad day at the office for us. We can't keep conceding goals the way we conceded them in this game.''

Partick boss Alan Archibald felt their play recently had merited more goals and he was thrilled to see his players finally rewarded for their efforts.

He said: We had a good start to the game and settled really well and we got two great goals early on.

When Kilmarnock started chasing the game it really suited us, and there was some fantastic play from all of our front guys.

It's been coming because we've played like that before and not had any credit for it, so it's great to come away with a win this time.''

Archibald was pleased to see Muirhead open his account for Partick but fully expects him to return to parent club Dundee United in January.

He added: I'm delighted for Robbie. The goal gave him a real lift and he was great after that.

He does that every day in training. It's just about finding his best position. I think one day he'll grow into becoming a striker.

I think United will take him back now. We did the deal when Jackie McNamara was there, so I think he'll be back at the start of January.''