Livingston need to avoid defeat at Hamilton Academical on Saturday to take the Scottish Championship title race to the final weekend after leaders Falkirk were stunned by a stoppage-time goal away to Partick Thistle.

Terry Ablade headed home in the 97th minute to spark jubilant scenes in the stands that spilled onto the Firhill pitch.

For the third game running, John McGlynn's side stumbled in their pursuit of sealing back-to-back league crowns and promotion to the Scottish Premiership after a 15-year absence.

Their lead stays at three points but they do enjoy a far superior goal difference to Livingston.

And the night could hardly have got off to a worse start for the visitors.

Thistle winger Aidan Fitzpatrick pounced on defender Tom Lang's heavy touch inside his own box to set up Brian Graham for a close range finish on six minutes.

That wasn't in the script for the Bairns, who were backed by nearly 2,000 travelling supporters, desperate to see their side return to the top flight.

They were boosted when Thistle midfielder Stuart Bannigan, already on a yellow card, collided with Dylan Tait and was dismissed by referee Matthew MacDermid.

It appeared only a matter of time until Falkirk made their numerical advantage count and Scott Arfield - who scored a hat-trick against Thistle in February - did just that, finding the bottom corner after a clever lay-off from Ross MacIver.

After that sweet strike, only an away win seemed likely, but the visitors struggled to create chances as readily in the second half against a compact Thistle backline.

Striker Alfredo Agyeman was brought on by McGlynn in search of a late winner, but lunged in on Robbie Crawford having only been on for a couple of minutes and was shown red.

With both sides now playing the closing stages with 10 players, Thistle found a second wind and substitute Ablade stayed calm to score just his second goal for the club.

Thistle are now three points clear of Raith Rovers - who host Morton on Saturday - in the hunt for the final play-off spot.

Thistle striker and interim co-manager Brian Graham: "It's the best league in Scotland by a mile, because it's so competitive. To win it in that fashion was incredible.

"The game changes when you go down to 10. The players in the second half, we asked them to be so compact and they did that.

"As soon as they went down to 10, we go 4-3-2 and go to try win the game. I'm delighted for Terry. We deserved the rub of the green tonight. It's a massive three points."

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "We didn't defend a free-kick that comes into the box. It's something that's cropped up throughout the season. Late goals are a common theme right now.

"At 11 v 11 we were by far the better team. We probably should go in ahead at half-time and the second half they made it very difficult.

"It's never a red card [for Agyeman]. He wins the ball fair and square.

"It's a one-game shootout. We'll dust ourselves down and we've got one last chance if we want to avoid the play-offs. We need to play for 90 minutes.

"I wouldn't be normal if you weren't nervous at this point of the season."