Partick Thistle 3-1 Motherwell

Partick Thistle ran out winners thanks to goals from Stuart Bannigan, Kris Doolan and Stephen O'Donnell as Motherwell's struggles continue.

Bannigan's left-foot finish and Doolan's clinical strike gave the Jags a healthy lead.

Lionel Ainsworth crashed in a 30-yard rocket for 'Well but O'Donnell sealed it on the counter.

The Steelmen are now languishing in second-bottom spot in the table after their second league defeat on the spin.

'Well went in this one having lost back-to-back games - in the League Cup and the Premiership - to local rivals Hamilton and manager Stuart McCall was desperate for a reaction in Maryhill.

Like the Steelmen, Partick had won just two league games ahead of this match and were hit with a hammer blow during the week as front-man Kallum Higginbotham was ruled out for four months with a knee injury.

Motherwell's Henrik Ojamaa nods the ball against the bar with his side's best first-half chance

The Englishman's absence, however, did not hamper the home side in the opening stages as they settled into their usual passing style.

'Well had the first real chance, though, Henrik Ojamaa smashing a near-post header off the bar after Josh Law's delivery from the left.

That opened things up and Steven Lawless went close with a dig from distance before playing a key role as the Maryhill men edged ahead.

Lawless led the way from midfield and his through-ball was perfect for Bannigan who broke into the box and found the net despite goalkeeper Dan Twardzik's best efforts.

Doolan, Lawless and Bannigan all had decent efforts but the second goal continued to elude the hosts.

Law curled a shot over the bar at the other end following a fine move from the visitors, as Partick took their slender lead into the interval.

Motherwell tried to move through the gears after the break and McCall threw on Ainsworth for Iain Vigurs in a bid to add some much-needed creativity.

But it was Partick who found the cutting edge to double their tally.

O'Donnell drove to the byline and cut the ball back into the box, where Doolan produced a great turn before rifling the ball high into the net.

It was almost 3-0 soon after as James Craigen drew a great stop from Twardzik with a superb left-foot drive, before Abdul Osman was inches away from connecting with a ball into the area.

Kris Doolan celebrates after firing Partick Thistle into a 2-0 lead against Motherwell

Then came a moment of magic as the visitors hit back against the run of play.

Substitute Ainsworth was allowed to stride forward from midfield and as the Jags defence stood off, he unleashed a stunning drive that beat goalkeeper Scott Fox all ends up and flew into the top corner.

Ainsworth was worrying the home defence but as 'Well pressed for a leveller, Partick put the game to bed on the counter attack following a corner, with O'Donnell racing clear and showing great composure to roll the ball under the onrushing Twardzik.

Fox made a sensational save from Lee Erwin as the visitors desperately tried to reduce the deficit, and Partick were worthy winners in the end.