Partick Thistle 0-1 Dunfermline

Apr 6 2008 Alan Mcmillan Reports

GUTTED Ian McCall refused to slam his jaded Jags stars' stuttering display and insists his men were just too knackered to compete.

The Partick Thistle gaffer claims his battling squad have run themselves into the ground this term and won't blame them for the dire showing.

Stevie Crawford grabbed the only goal as Dunfermline leapfrogged their rivals in dull game that offered little in the way of entertainment.

McCall will now field a side full of kids against Stirling Albion on Tuesday to give his side time to recover for next Sunday's Scottish Cup replay with Rangers.

He said: "I spoke to the players but I didn't criticise them because they're knackered. They were out on their feet, running on empty and couldn't get about the way they normally do.

"As a result we didn't get much of a game and it wasn't helped by a ref who wanted centre stage.

"We've got Stirling Albion in midweek and you can expect to see one of the youngest ever Thistle teams for that one."

A scrappy opening period saw Pars create the first chance but Scott Thomson's free-kick 25-yards from goal cannoned off the wall.

Crawford had the ball in the net after 25 minutes but the flag had been raised for an offside against the Pars striker.

The former Scotland star was on target just before half-time when he took a pass from McIntyre and cut the ball low past Jonny Tuffey.

The home side had a chance to level right after the break when a free-kick bounced kindly to Damon Gray, but his shot was well blocked by the alert Scott Muirhead.

Dunfermline sub Mark Burchill almost got a second with a rasping shot that Tuffey saved well.

Pars player/boss Jim McIntyre said: "We were always the better team and we're still in with a shout of finishing fourth so I'm delighted."

MoM: Crawford (Dunfermline)