Scottish League Cup: Partick Thistle strike late to sink Arbroath
- Published
Aidan Fitzpatrick was the Partick Thistle goal hero at Firhill
Substitute Aiden Fitzpatrick scored the only goal as Partick Thistle overcame a stuffy Arbroath side to book their place in the League Cup quarter finals.
With eight minutes remaining at Firhill, he rose to glance home a cross from Stevie Lawless.
Thistle had dominated large spells of the all-Championship tie, but lacked a killer touch in front of goal.
Arbroath rarely threatened after an early chance for Daniel Fosu, who was inches away from connecting.
With just four minutes gone, Aaron Muirhead allowed a cross by Bobby Linn to drift across the six-yard box but Fosu just couldn't get a touch in front of goal.
The home side responded with a golden opportunity moments later.
Michael McKenna was short with a pass-back that Ross Docherty pounced on. The Thistle captain rounded Derek Gaston but pushed the ball wide allowing the goalkeeper time to recover and save with ease.
Thistle striker Anton Dowds spent the early part of last season at Arbroath and he should have given the home side the lead when connecting with a Jack McMillan cross inside the six yard box but his effort flew high over the crossbar.
After the interval the visitors' defence continued to come under waves of attack from Thistle with Dowds coming close on a number of occasions but a lack of finishing quality remained evident.
With the prospect of extra-time looming, Thistle deservedly made the breakthrough.
Lawless floated the ball into the box and Fitzpatrick sent a header beyond the outstretched arms of the despairing Gaston.
Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall: "I thought we played really well. We had chances and we're really delighted with how we moved the ball around the pitch. We could have made it easier for ourselves but we are delighted to be through."
Arbroath manager Dick Campbell: "I'm not making any excuses. The players gave me everything but Partick were worthy winners. I've no complaints but Christmas came early for Partick in terms of the team I was able to put out."