Partick Thistle 1-0 Queen of the South: Kevin Holt seals win with late penalty

Kevin Holt netted from 12 yards in the 82nd minute

Partick Thistle moved to within five points of the Scottish Championship's top two after Kevin Holt's late penalty defeated Queen of the South at Firhill.

Ruari Paton threatened for Queens and Partick's Juan Alegria was denied by goalkeeper Josh Rae in the first half.

Alex Jakubiak fizzed an effort wide for the hosts after the break and team-mate Brian Graham twice went close.

But the Jags did go ahead when Holt converted from the spot after Josh Debayo had fouled Cammy Smith.

Substitute Graham could have made the result more comfortable in the final minute of regulation time, Rae making another fine save.

The Jags, who still have a game in hand, are six points off leaders Arbroath and face Greenock Morton away on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Second-bottom Queens are two points above Dunfermline and host Raith Rovers on Saturday (15:00).

Kilmarnock visit Ayr United in Friday's live BBC Scotland TV match (19:45).

Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall: "It's a big result, it's a big three points and I don't think anybody can say we didn't merit it. Our goalie didn't have a save to make.

"You get to the point where you think it might not come but I had every trust in Kevin Holt sticking the penalty away and 1-0's enough. We would've liked to have scored two or three for the goal difference but one's enough."