Ross County 1-0 Partick Thistle

Ross County won their fourth Scottish Premiership game in a row to lift them off the bottom and draw Partick Thistle back into the relegation fight.

Craig Curran scored the only goal with a precise close-range header after Thistle goalkeeper Paul Gallacher had raced off his line to block Liam Boyce.

Kallum Higginbotham added to the Jags' woes with a bad foul on Michael Gardyne which earned him a straight red card.

It was never comfortable for County but they held on for three valuable points.

In a tepid opening Partick Thistle created by far the most threatening opportunity.

Higginbotham drove down the left and cut back for Steven Lawless in a central position. However, composure was lacking though as he fired over when a goal seemed inevitable.

Thistle would rue that opportunity in a first half lacking in chances.

Conditions may have played a role in a lack of attacking threat from both sides but Ross County gave themselves a wonderful platform with the opener.

Raffaele De Vita was central to the goal with a beautifully weighted ball onto Boyce's chest. The striker took it down but Gallacher closed in to block his toe-poke.

The ball spun kindly for the advancing Curran, who demonstrated a level of finesse when he eased the ball into the corner away from a desperate defender.

Thistle responded well and Higginbotham came close to hauling his side level.

A short corner released Thistle's most creative influence down the bye-line and he found an angle to strike but the ball clipped a defender and flew past.

Jim McIntyre's side had more purpose at the start of the second period and Gardyne could not turn effectively enough to get an early strike on target.

However, Thistle remained determined and came very close to equalising when Lawless picked up on the edge of the box.

He hit a firm, low shot towards goal, which Mark Brown got behind but parried out towards Lyle Taylor. The striker netted but could not beat the offside flag, which kept County ahead.

Moments later, Thistle shot themselves in the foot when Higginbotham had a moment of madness that ended his participation in the game.

As Gardyne advanced over the halfway line, Higginbotham came straight through him and ended up straight up the tunnel, referee Alan Muir showing no hesitation.

That gave Thistle a mountain to climb but they deserve credit for continuing to press and their manager Alan Archibald would feel a point was not unmerited, given their efforts.

County defended doggedly and almost snatched a second when Jake Jervis knocked a header into Filip Kiss' path only for Gallacher to race off his line and stop.

Then, in a crazy episode, Gallacher found himself beaten on the touchline. The ball raced across goal but no County player could get on the end of it to seal the points.

It is another vital victory for Ross County who are now clear of the bottom after a superb run of results.

But Partick Thistle are facing the reality that they are now very much in this relegation fight.

Kallum Higginbotham is sent off by referee Alan Muir

Partick Thistle's Conrad Balatoni leaves Raffaele De Vita heading for a fall

Ross County pair Scott Boyd and Liam Boyce plead with referee Alan Muir to award a penalty