Kilmarnock 2 Partick Thistle 5
Kris Doolan continued his fine scoring form against Kilmarnock this season as Partick cruised to victory in an exciting seven-goal thriller.
Kris Doolan continued his fine scoring form against Kilmarnock this season as Partick cruised to victory in an exciting seven-goal thriller. The Thistle striker had bagged two goals in a draw against Killie earlier in the season and helped himself to another double in this clash at Rugby Park. That means four of his five goals this term have been against the Ayrshire outfit. Josh Magennis and Mark Connolly both netted for Killie but a Gary Fraser strike and a Robbie Muirhead double in the second half secured the points for Partick. The win allowed the visitors to build on last week's victory over Inverness - as well as leapfrogging Kilmarnock in the Premiership table. It was Killie who could have been ahead early on when Kevin McHattie crossed for Magennis in front of goal but his shot was weak and easily gathered by Ryan Scully. Instead, it was Partick who surged into the lead with just seven minutes on the clock. Doolan collected a lovely reverse pass from Steven Lawless before dispatching into the back of the net from six yards. The striker was celebrating again on 15 minutes, this time meeting Fraser's free-kick at the back post and nodding home from the tightest of angles. Killie immediately tried to hit back and Greg Kiltie was not too far away with a fierce strike that he dragged just wide of target. The Rugby Park side did have the net bulging after 23 minutes when Magennis met a cross from the right with a volley that beat Scully in the Thistle goal. However, hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow when Partick extended their lead seven minutes after the restart. Muirhead whipped a tempting ball across the face of goal that was missed by Doolan a few yards out but Fraser was more alert to lash home. Muirhead then added his own name to the scoresheet with the pick of the bunch after 63 minutes - an audacious strike from 30 yards that left goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald grasping at fresh air. Scully was then beaten by a looping header from Connolly 10 minutes later as the action swung from end to end. But the outcome was beyond doubt when Partick claimed their fifth of the day after 75 minutes. There was some nice link up play between Lawless and Callum Booth before Muirhead met a cross at the back post with a half volley that was beyond the reach of MacDonald.