Scott Robinson’s first-half goal was enough for all three points as Partick Thistle defeated ten men Caley Thistle at Firhill.
Cammy Kerr was shown a second yellow card around 62 minutes into the match with his first yellow card coming at the end of the first half for adjudged simulation and the second coming in the second-half for a foul on Aidan Fitzpatrick.
Manager Duncan Ferguson made two changes to the side which drew with Dundee United last weekend as Samson Lawal replaced the injured Nathan Shaw while Billy Mckay replaced Aribim Pepple. Roddy MacGregor came back into the squad while Austin Samuels dropped out.
The first real chance of the match fell to Caley Thistle after 9 minutes, Wallace Duffy and Cammy Kerr and the midfielder’s effort was deflected behind for a corner. Cameron Harper’s volley from the resulting corner went way over the bar and behind.
Billy Mckay saw his effort from 25 yards bounce just wide while at the other end, Brian Graham saw a glancing header well held by goalkeeper Mark Ridgers.
Caley Thistle went close to opening the scoring after 33 minutes, Cammy Kerr’s corner found Wallace Duffy in the box, but his header cannoned off the bar as Partick Thistle won a free-kick in the aftermath.
The home side began to ramp up the pressure as Brian Graham saw a powerful close range effort go over the bar while Scott Robinson hit the post from close range.
Partick Thistle had the lead after 39 minutes. Ben Stanway’s shot was saved by Mark Ridgers but it fell into the path of Scott Robinson as the striker rifled the ball past the ICT goalkeeper to open the scoring. There were appeals from the ICT staff and players for a foul on Alex Samuel in the build-up on the edge of the Thistle box before they launched the counterattack.
Cammy Kerr received a yellow card for simulation on the stroke of half-time, the Caley Thistle player strongly appealed against the decision.
Into the second-half, Aidan Fitzpatrick went close on the hour mark as his effort down the Partick Thistle left-hand side went narrowly wide.
Caley Thistle then had a good chance through Cammy Kerr. The right-back met Cameron Harper’s cross at the back-post but his shot was wide of the mark after 62 minutes.
It proved to be one of Cammy Kerr’s last moments on the pitch as he was sent off with a second yellow card after 66 minutes. Playing at right-back following Aaron Doran replacing Wallace Duffy and the shape being changed, he fouled Aidan Fitzpatrick on the counter-attack and was ordered off.
Caley Thistle adjusted well to going down to ten men. Samson Lawal and Alex Samuel both saw efforts kept out by Partick Thistle goalkeeper David Mitchell.
Caley Thistle continued to have the better of the ball in the closing stages with ten men but couldn’t find an equaliser.
The Caley Jags now face a home match against Arbroath next weekend, with the side currently four points away from Queen’s Park in 8th position.