Thistle stung by late winneras Leslie make some ground

Fife Thistle............................3

Thistle travelled to Leslie for a league tie looking to make amends for their mauling in Muchty the weekend before.

A win would see Thistle move back into second spot whilst a Leslie win would see them climb to within five points of Thistle with two games in hand.

Thistle were taking the game to their hosts but were hit with a counter on the quarter hour when Neil prodded the ball home from what looked to be an offside position.

Thistle were back on level terms when Palacios slipped the ball through to Jukes who closed in on keeper Redpath before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Just two minutes later and Thistle were in front when Barnes’ shot on the turn wrong footed the ‘keeper for a fine finish.

Some poor defending allowed Leslie to get back on level terms just after the half hour.

Three minutes from the interval Leslie were back in front and again it was a gift from Thistle when Wishart made a hash of a clearance with the ball falling kindly for Walker who showed fantastic composure to take a deft touch before sending the ball over the stranded ‘keeper.

As the second half progressed Thistle were pushing everything forward in search of a goal but had to wait until the final minute when a Shepherd corner was turned into the net by Barnes.

In hindsight Thistle should have accepted the point but instead opted to go for the winner with just two at the back and deep into stoppage time were hit on the counter with virtually the last kick of the game by Walker.

Northwood Dundee Man of the Match – Dan McArthur

Fife Thistle – Wishart, Wright (Petrie 60), Carson (Cameron 85), Gough, McShane (Thomson 57), Ireland (Munro 73), McArthur, Palacios (Foulkes 54), Jukes, Shepherd, Barnes.

On SaturdayThistle play hosts to league leaders FC Bayside.

With work issues at Balmullo still to be resolved the match will be played at Recreation Park, St Monans, with a 2pm kick off.