Jags sting Ton late on, Saints Defeat Title Rivals, Rovers hold on away...again: Scottish Championship Round-Up

William Hill Championship Round 21 Review

A weather hit weekend in Scotland affected the football schedule across the country, with Ayr United v Queen's Park at Somerset Park and Dunfermline Athletic v Ross County at East End Park being postponed due to frozen pitches.

Still there was three Championship games that took place which still had important effects on how the league table would finalise come the end of the season.

Partick Thistle 3-2 Greenock Morton

Stanway (50'), Turner (77'), Watt (90+4'); Garrity (22'), Brophy (43')

A watching brief for Ian Murray at Firhill, the former Airdrieonians and Raith Rovers boss was appointed as Morton's new permanent manager on Friday. Gary Miller took charge for the game against Thistle with Murray officially taking the reins at Cappielow on Monday with his first game being a home match against Dunfermline Athletic.

2026 will be Partick Thistle's 150th year in existence and the Jags fans have been enjoying some entertaining football over the course of the season so far and they made a bright start to this one; Logan Chalmers played in Tony Watt who turned and forced a save from James Storer in the Ton goal. Chalmers himself was next to try his luck in front of goal but his effort from the edge of the box went just wide.

Then against the run of play Morton took the lead; Michael O'Halloran charged down the right hand side before squaring the ball to Michael Garrity who dispatched his chance straight into the bottom corner. Despite going a goal behind Thistle were still the better attacking team and had a chance to equalise just moments later when a corner kick from the right eventually dropped to Watt but his effort was turned round the post by Storer. Then Chalmers again looking dangerous with his cross which drifted over the head of Storer and just missing the back post.

Aaron Lyall was Ton's bright star in their draw v Queen's Park last week and he should have made it two when Eamonn Brophy fired across the face of goal but Lyall couldn't quite get on the end of the cross. However Morton did make it two when Cameron Blues won a header in the Thistle to find Brophy, who had too much time and space in the box and hooked the ball past Josh Clarke and into the net.

Thistle needed a response early on in the second half and they managed to get it; Ben Stanway's initial shot was blocked in the box but the ball broke kindly back to him and his rebound effort was too quick for Storer and suddenly the hosts were back in it. Thistle really turned on the style and turned up the intensity in their game play in their bid to find an equaliser and were awarded a penalty when Kris Moore had to much of Watt's shirt in the box; Chalmers stepped up but Storer diving to his left made a stunning stop and the Ton kept their lead.

Despite this Thistle weren't giving up and eventually got their equaliser with 13 minutes remaining; Kyle Turner cut inside and curled home and effort into Storer's far corner and it was level heading into the closing minutes at Firhill. Thistle kept pushing up to find themselves a winner with the Ton unable to get themselves up the pitch; a glorious chance came when Watt tied up Alex Samuel but his effort was blocked on the goalline. Then to the delight for the Jags faithful, they went ahead for the first time in the game; Tony Watt worked himself into the penalty box and curled home an excellent finish into the far post and Thistle win the game and claim the points.

It was Thistle's first Championship win since late November after a series of draws and a defeat to Arbroath and gives them a big three points to keep their bid in the title race alive. As for Morton that's three defeats in their last four league games with Ian Murray needing to get confidence back to the Ton team if they want to keep their season alive.

St. Johnstone 1-0 Arbroath

Sidibeh (25')

Championship leaders St. Johnstone welcomed third place Arbroath at McDiarmid Park with the Red Litchies looking for a shock win which could strengthen their push of an unlikely league title. The hosts boosts the best scoring record along with the best defence in the Championship and were unbeaten in the last four games in the Championship.

Saints started on the front foot and had the game's first real opportunity after only five minutes on the clock; Josh McPake picked out Jason Holt with the Saints captain setting up Jamie Gullan and his shot was smashed over the crossbar. Despite some spirted Arbroath play, the Saints were the better team in the opening stages; the lively McPake unleashed a shot which was pushed behind for a corner. Just moments later Reece McAlear played in Gullan but his shot was saved by Aidan McAdams. Gavin Reilly had the visitors first real good chance of the game but his effort was saved well by Tony Steward in the Saints goal.

The hosts eventually got the goal their good play deserved; a back pass by Victor Enem was punished by Adama Sidibeh who burst forward slotted under McAdams and into the Arbroath net.

Composure personified by Adama! 🥶#SJFC pic.twitter.com/440eukiQOZ

— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) January 4, 2026

Sidibeh was looking in the mood for more and teed up McAlear just minutes later but his strike was blocked by Enem in the Arbroath defence. Saints were looking to kill the game off as quickly as possible and just before half-time Sam Stanton burst into the box and cut back to Holt but his effort went just narrowly wide.

Saints continued to hunt down a second goal in the second-half, McPake cut the ball back to Liam Smith and his effort was saved by McAdams who turned the ball over for a corner. More and more chances built up for the hosts but they just couldn't get a second goal; Sidibeh was looking to make it a double for him but his effort was blocked by Craig Watson. More chances came; Smith again tested McAdams and his effort went behind for a corner kick, Morgan Boyes got a header from the resulting corner but couldn't get enough power to trouble McAdams.

Arbroath to their credit were well-organised and made Saints really work to break them down and the league leaders just couldn't get a second goal to kill the game off and in the end of the day one was enough for St. Johnstone to keep their lead in the title to five points, after Thistle's late comeback against Morton.

The Red Litchies unbeaten run is over, eight without defeat in all competitions is finally ended by St. Johnstone. A first chance to start a new run comes in midweek in the KDM Evolution Trophy against Dick Campbell's East Fife at Gayfield, after that they are off to Fife to take on Raith Rovers at Stark's Park.

📺🇬🇲

Full match highlights are available to watch on our YouTube channel ⤵️#SJFC

— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) January 4, 2026

Airdrieonians 0-0 Raith Rovers

An interim spell of nearly two months has been enough to give Aaron Taylor-Sinclair the permanent Airdrieonians job; in his twelve games in interim charge the Diamonds have won five matches under his spell. His first game in charge permanently was against a Raith Rovers team who cannot win at the Albert Bartlett Stadium, the Diamonds winning five of their last six meetings at home.

Raith were looking to end their bogey ground hoodoo early on with the Diamonds needing Dylan McDonald to cover an early Dylan Easton attack. Airdrie have brought in Hearts goalkeeper Harry Stone on loan after an injury to their number one Cade Melrose and the new keeper had to be alert to keep out an Ewan Wilson cross which could have been dangerous to breach the defence. Airdrie were next to threaten when Lewis McGrattan picked out Euan Henderson but his effort was blocked well by Paul McMullan.

Lots of good football but the game was just too frantic but the Diamonds tried their luck when Chris Mochrie crossed in for Sean McGinty but his strike went narrowly over Josh Rae's crossbar. Rovers' right-back Jai Rowe was next to test his luck in front of goal and his strike, from around 20-yards out was knocked out for a corner kick. McMullan tested Stone for the first-half's last real chance but the new Diamonds keeper reacted well to keep the scoreline at bay.

Raith ended the first-half the strongest but it was the Diamonds who started the second-half better; Craig Ross with a good header but went just inches over Rae's crossbar. McGinty was next to test his luck but his header was clawed away by the Rovers number one and just a minute later some miscommunication in the Rovers back line allowed Lewis Strapp in but his effort went wide of the upright and out for a goal kick.

It was all changed in terms of chances midway through the second half; Rowe's flying header went close by ultimately out for a goal kick. Andy Winter has joined Rovers on loan from Livingston until the end of the season, and on his first start his effort from distance went just narrowly wide of Stone's post. Lots to like about how both teams played but no goals and the closest either team went to getting a winner came in stoppage time; Rowe once again with a big chance for the Rovers but his header smashed off the crossbar.

This was Rovers' third away game that ended 0-0 in the Championship and claimed a rare point from their bogey ground, as for the Diamonds they took advantage of both Queen's Park and Ross County's games being postponed and have climbed up to eighth place in the league table. However the Spiders and the Staggies both have two games in hand over Airdrie.

📹 Match highlights from today's tie. pic.twitter.com/h9g7o9E2Qd

— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) January 3, 2026