Partick Thistle 1-0 Dunfermline

Aug 3 2008 Alan Mcmillan Reports

SUPERSUB Stephen McKeown was the toast of his Jags team-mates after nicking them a late win bonus.

It looked as if the Firhill side would have to accept a draw from a hard-fought battle. But McKeown - a 78th-minute replacement for Scott Chaplain - pounced with just three minutes left.

Pars keeper Paul Gallagher punched away a Simon Donnelly cross and the little midfielder hit a first-time volley into the net from 25 yards.

The Thistle hero said: "I was surprised even to be on the field. I only did half of the pre-season training because of a hamstring injury so didn't expect to be getting off the bench.

"But, the way the game was going, the boss decided to throw me on for the last wee while and it paid off. These shots can go anywhere but thankfully mine went in. I'ma popular guy in the dressingroom after getting the boys their bonus - but they've done it often enough for me in the past.

"Last season I scored two goals after coming here in January and the first of them was against Dunfermline. They must be cursing me."

Thistle new boy Ian Maxwell had a header cleared off the line by Nicky Phinn and Pars' Iain Williamson hooked a shot against a post in the first half. The near things continued in the second half with Greg Shields clearing a header from sub Donnelly off the line.

At the other end, both Graham Bayne and Scott Thomson hit the same post with headers.

Pars boss JimMcIntyre said: "To lose a goal in the last few minutes is an absolute sickener but ifwe play with that desire and quality, we'll win more than we lose. We just need to be a little more clinical with our finishing."

Jags manager Ian McCall said: "It was a great game of football and I'm delighted with the result."

MOM: Maxwell (Partick)