Partick Thistle 4-0 St Johnstone

Aug 24 2008 Alan Mcmillan At Firhill

RAMPANT Thistle looked more like title contenders than sorry Saints as they strolled to victory. The Perth men have been touted as potential champions this season but were ripped apart by Ian McCall's impressive side.

John Robertson's early strike fired Thistle into a half-time lead before Ian Maxwell, Paul Paton and Gary Harkins piled on the misery.

And it was a day to forget for veteran keeper Alan Main whose comeback from injury turned into a nightmare.

The victory fired McCall's side up to second in the table and if they maintain this form they could keep pace with leaders Dundee.

But Derek McInnes will be worried about his side's title hopes if they turn in more displays like this.

Saints star Martin Hardie almost came back to haunt his old team with the first shot of the match.

The midfielder got the break of the ball off Maxwell and hit a first-time volley that just missed the target.

It acted as a wake-up call for Thistle and they grabbed the opener after just six minutes.

Simon Donnelly's corner was headed back across goal by Maxwell and Robertson, with his back to goal, hooked the ball over his shoulder and past the helpless Main.

The keeper was stretching again minutes later but this time he managed to hold a long-range shot by Donnelly.

The Perth team enjoyed their fair share of possession but struggled to get their front men involved.

And Saints almost lost a second on the half-hour when Steven Lennon nicked possession from Kevin Rutkiewicz.

The on-loan Rangers kid fed Donnelly who cut the ball back for Stephen McKeown and his shot from the edge of the box was tipped past by Main.

McKeown was getting through a power of work in midfield and frustrated Saints striker Peter MacDonald was booked after hauling him down.

Donnelly carved out another chance when he beat Rutkiewicz and laid the ball back for Lennon but defender Stuart McCaffrey blocked the shot.

Thistle kept up the pressure and Marc Twaddle had a header from Scott Chaplain's cross saved.

Saints had their first shot on target seven minutes before the break but Collin Samuel's effort was straight at keeper Jonny Tuffey who saved easily.

Skipper Rutkiewicz tried to inspire his side with a long run upfield that brought a corner but the set-piece delivery was poor.

Main was by far the busier keeper and made another good save from Lennon. But there was nothing he could do when Thistle grabbed the second in 48 minutes.

Donnelly's corner was cleared to Chaplain who flicked the ball sideways for Maxwell to thump a left-foot volley pastMain from the edge of the box. Samuel had a chance to reduce the deficit from an excellent through-ball by Hardie but shot at Tuffey.

Hardie was next to get the sight of goal for McInnes' side but his header from Liam Craig's free-kick was off target.

At the other end Donnelly wasn't far away with a powerful volley after Maxwell and Harkins set him up. The former Celtic star was involved again when he laid the ball back for McKeown whose net-bound shot was blocked by McCaffrey.

Saints were rocking and it was no surprise when the third goal arrived in 67 minutes. Harkins did the spadework with a jinking run and Chaplain had a shot blocked before full-back Paton beat Main with a tremendous volley.

Thistle grabbed the fourth six minutes later when Harkins fired home from 12 yards following another Donnelly corner.

MOM: Donnelly (Partick Thistle)