Livingston 1-0 Partick Thistle

Apr 20 2008 Brian Welsh Reports

A DEFLECTED strike from Liam Fox sunk Thistle to guarantee Livingston will enjoy First Division football again next season.

The midfielder fired the only goal after 30 minutes with a effort from the edge of the box that came off Gary Harkins.

Partick Thistle featured five changes from the team that lost to Queen of the South in midweek and the new-look side almost took the lead inside two minutes.

Ryan McStay's free-kick carried to Scott Chaplain at the far post but his low drive was saved by the legs of keeper Colin Stewart.

The home team began to dominate and Leigh Griffiths tested Jonny Tuffey with a 20-yard strike before the keeper tipped a Fox effort around his left-hand post.

Fox wasn't to be denied though and when he tried his luck again with a shot from 18 yards the ball struck Harkins to loop past the helpless Tuffey for the opener.

James McPake twice threatened to extend Livi's lead before half-time, hooking a Craig James free-kick just wide then heading off the bar from the same player's delivery.

Jags boss Ian McCall made three half-time changes and his side were much improved after the interval - although they had Tuffey to thank for keeping them in the contest.

The young Northern Irishman saved from Fox three times in quick succession before denying Graham Dorrans.

The keeper then raced from his line to thwart Steven Weir after the Livingston sub was picked out in the box by a pinpoint Murray Davidson header.

Tuffey's best save of the day was his last - a fantastic reflex stop from a late Weir thunderbolt - and the home win was never in any real doubt.

MoM: Tuffey (Partick Thistle)