Aberdeen 2-0 Partick Thistle (original) (raw)

Aberdeen came away deserved winners after a pulsating Scottish Premiership clash with Partick Thistle.

Nicky Low put the Dons in front with a stunning drive from the edge of the box early in the second half.

And, the goal that sealed their victory came in equally impressive fashion as Niall McGinn powered home past Paul Gallacher.

The result means the hosts jump to eighth place in the table, leapfrogging their opponents.

Going into the match, Derek McInnes's men were looking to kick-start their season after a sluggish start, including last week's 1-0 defeat away to St Johnstone.

Thistle were also coming off the back of a defeat, following Hamilton Academical's 2-1 victory at Firhill.

And, it was the hosts who started brighter, zipping the ball around nicely through McGinn.

With barely enough time for fans to get comfortable in their seats, the Dons had the first effort on goal through David Goodwillie, but he could only drag a shot wide.

With the game stretched and being played at a frenetic pace, Stuart Bannigan gave the Pittodrie faithful a scare when he fired just past the post.

From then, it was all Aberdeen and they passed up three opportunities before the break.

First, a well-worked corner brought a teasing cross from Low that was met by the head of Goodwillie, but stopper Gallacher was equal to it.

Mark Reynolds must have thought he had got the elusive opener after finding himself in space and powering in a header but the defender's effort was cleared off the line.

And then McGinn tamely shot into the arms of Gallacher from a Jonny Hayes delivery.

The beginning of the second half followed the same pattern as the first, with Aberdeen taking the game to their rivals.

Their persistence paid dividends when Low's sizzling strike nestled in the corner of the net.

That lead could have been doubled almost instantly as Shay Logan's header whistled just beyond the post.

As the rain lashed down in the Granite City, the home side continued to press.

That was until Thistle finally stamped some authority on the game through Kallum Higginbotham's drilled shot but experienced keeper Jamie Langfield dispelled the danger and made an assured save.

McGinn then put the result beyond doubt when he unleashed a powerful shot from the right-hand side of the box.

Although Jags new boy Jake Carroll looked lively and Gary Fraser forced Langfield into action late on, Alan Archibald's charges were unable to break down a strong Aberdeen.

And, they could have been further behind at the death, as Barry Robson struck a thunderous free-kick from 25 yards that would have found the goal but for a magnificent touch from Gallacher.

Sorry, we can't display this part of the article any more.