Airdrie 0-1 Partick Thistle

Aug 10 2008 Alan Mcmillan Reports

THISTLE boss Ian McCall last night admitted he was ready to replace Damon Gray just before the on-loan hitman bagged the winner.

Hibs striker Gray, who is with the Jags until January, produced a cool finish 16 minutes from the end of a hard-fought match.

But McCall confessed he was ready to switch things up front until his assistant Gerry Britton talked him out of it.

McCall said: "I was thinking of taking Damon off but Gerry said to leave him. It proved a good decision because the boy is a natural finisher."

Gray said: "That's four goals in four games and I've settled into my second loan spell well."

Airdrie were unlucky in 11 minutes when Matt Hazley's cross was knocked down by Simon Lynch to Paul Di Giacomo whose 20-yard volley thumped against Jonny Tuffey's right-hand post.

A similar move saw Joe Cardle's pass laid off by Kevin MacDonald for Steven McDougall and he shot over the bar.

Thistle found themselves under pressure at the start of the second period and were fortunate not to fall behind.

Tuffey could only beat down a shot by Cardle, and Lynch's header slipped inches wide.

However, the Jags got their noses in front in the 74th minute when Paul Paton picked out Gray at Airdrie's back post. He side-stepped his marker and shot low into the corner of the net.

Diamonds gaffer Kenny Black said: "Thistle showed more determination to put the ball in the net than we did to keep it out."

MoM: Gray (Partick Thistle)