Ayr manager Scott Brown was thrilled with his side’s defensive display as the Honest Men seized the initiative in the Premiership play-off quarter-final.
Jamie Murphy grabbed the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half, heading home from Connor McLennan’s sublime delivery.
Chances were few and far between during an encounter littered with stoppages.
The Somerset Park side have now kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since January — something Brown is determined to continue in Friday evening’s second leg.
“It’s half-time, anything can happen at half-time,” Brown said.
“We had to make sure we were solid behind the ball and I thought our back five defended really well. There was purpose in the defending and they really enjoyed the challenge.
“I thought we won the battle in the middle of the park. Keeping a clean sheet, that’s two in a row and we need to carry on that momentum.”
Brown was full of praise for Murphy after the 35-year-old combined with his fellow winger to great effect for a rare headed goal to silence the home crowd.
“I’m not sure Jamie has scored many headers in his whole career,” Brown added.
“He’s a fantastic player for us and a great example for the younger players. Whether he plays as a 10 or as a winger, he wants to score a goal.”
Thistle interim co-manager Brian Graham was frustrated at the stop-start nature of proceedings at Firhill.
Graham, one of five Jags players booked, believes referee David Dickinson failed to let the game flow.
“As a player you want the game to flow,” he said. “I did say that to him, ‘gonnae let the game flow and stop blowing your whistle?’
“It’s a massive game, a play-off quarter-final and you want it to be played at a good tempo — we couldn’t get to a good tempo because it was stopping every two minutes.”
Despite trailing going into the away leg at Somerset Park, Graham remains confident his side can overturn the deficit.
In recent weeks, Thistle have demonstrated their ability to win the games that matter — clinching a play-off spot with victories in their final two league games.
Graham added: “Nothing is done yet – we can’t play any worse than that, that’s for sure.
“The mindset has got to be positive, it’s only 1-0 and come Friday we need to be better, it’s as simple as that. Hopefully the game will have more of a flow to it.
“They had one big chance in the second half and they scored it.”
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
Lewandowski rules out Poland return under coach ProbierzBarcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has announced that he will no longer play for Poland as long as Michal Probierz remains head coach. The 36-year-old, who has earned 158 caps and scored 85 goals, was recently replaced as captain by Piotr Zielinski.0"Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to r...
SPL option emerges for unsettled Barcelona defender ChristensenSaudi Pro League clubs are targeting Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen.Mundo Deportivo says Christensen wants to leave Barcelona this summer.And the Dane could very well end up in Saudi Arabia for next season.Several Saudi clubs want to sign Christensen - and bids are being prepared for the centre-back.Barcelona are ready to sell ...
Chelsea locked in talks with Motor Lublin for defender EdeChelsea are interested in Motor Lublin defender Bright Ede.Ede, 18, left Zaglebie Lubin for Motor Lublin last winter.Since then, the young centre-back has scored one goal in six appearances,0Now Polish source Meczyki reports that there could be a move as early as this summer for Ede - as Chelsea are showing interest.The two clubs are in dir...
Forest winger Elanga addresses fresh Newcastle rumoursNottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga has shrugged off fresh rumours linking him with Newcastle United.It's been suggested Newcastle are prepared to offer 350m for the former Manchester United winger.Elanga, after helping Sweden to their World Cup qualifying win against Hungary, was asked about the rumours.He told Fotbolskanalen:0 "There is a...
Hojlund breaks silence on Man Utd exit rumoursRasmus Hojlund insists he expects to be playing for Manchester United next season.The striker has been linked with Inter Milan and Napoli in recent weeks.But while away with Denmark, Hojlund said yesterday: 0“I have a contract until 2030, so I expect to play for Manchester United.“I’m looking forward to a little summer break, and then...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 3 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 4 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 9 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker
- 10 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal