Jags Sting the Pars, Saints Smash the Diamonds and Time Running Out for County: Scottish Championship Review
Scottish Championship - Round 33 Review
This weekend seen a full fixture in the Scottish Championship, after last weekend's KDM Evolution Trophy final reduced the fixture list last weekend, and each game was important for different circumstances.
There was a battle of two form teams, the leaders hosting the one of the relegation favourites and for the likes of Ayr United, Greenock Morton, Queen's Park and Raith Rovers they knew that a win this weekend would not mathmatically secure their Championship status but be near enough to safety with three weeks of the season remaining.
Partick Thistle 2-0 Dunfermline Athletic
Samuel (18', 22')
🎥 All the key moments from yesterday's trip to Firhill.https://t.co/8rPcHyJUkh
— Dunfermline Athletic (@officialdafc) April 12, 2026
The Championship's game of the day took place at Firhill with title chasing Partick Thistle hosting in-form Dunfermline Athletic. The Pars arrived in Maryhill on the back of an eight game unbeaten run, in all competitions, which included six wins. Partick Thistle's unbeaten run in the league stretches back to the 9th of January, which is ten Championship games without a defeat. But their draw away at Ayr United last Saturday put a dent in their title push as St. Johnstone lead went to five points.
It was the Jags who started the match on the front foot; Fraser Taylor played in an early corner kick but it was too far of reach for Dan O'Reilly to make contact on the delivery. Then, just moments later, Ben McPherson crossed in from the right onto the head of Alex Samuel but the Thistle striker could not direct his header on target.
Dunfermline were slowly working their way into the match. Following a short corner, Matty Todd sent in an excellent cross towards the back post but was unable to reach John Tod. But just as when the Pars were coming into the game Thistle went ahead; Samuel outmuscled the Pars defence to hold the ball up for Ben Stanway and the midfielder's shot was blocked but the ball managed to work it way back to Samuel, from the edge of the box, and drilled his shot past Aston Oxborough in the Dunfermline goal and into the back of the net.
— Partick Thistle FC (@PartickThistle) April 11, 2026
And Thistle were in no mood to hang around as they raced into a two goal lead just moments later; Aidan Fitzpatrick broke down the left hand side and managed to lay the ball on a plate for Samuel to bag his and Thistle's second goal of the afternoon. And Thistle could have wrapped the points as early as the 38th minute when Samuel, once again, had a chance but was denied by Oxborough who denied the striker a hat-trick.
Dunfermline needed a quick response in the second half to get themselves back in the match and Kieran Ngwenya took a chance from range but his effort was far too ambitious and went wide of Josh Clarke's goal. But Alex Samuel kept pushing for a third for himself and for Thistle but was denied twice by Shea Kearney, who managed to block the striker twice in quick succession.
In the end, Thistle's unbeaten run has extended to eleven Championship games and their title fight goes onto another week. As for Dunfermline it's a first defeat since late February and will be looking to start another unbeaten run next week when at Barclays' Hampden as they face rivals Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
St. Johnstone 4-0 Airdrieonians
Paton (16', 35'), Boyes (34'), McPake (81' Pen)
Sit back and enjoy 🍿
— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) April 11, 2026
Full match highlights from today's 4-0 win over Airdrie are on #SaintsTV and YouTube now.#SJFC
After demolishing relegation rivals Ross County last Saturday, Airdrieonians were back on the road looking to shock Championship leaders St. Johnstone. The Diamonds' have preferred being on the road in the league this season, 18 out their 30 points have been picked up away from home. But their task of picking up a win in Perth would be difficult as the league leaders have only lost once at home all season and are currently on a ten game unbeaten run in the Championship.
As to be expected, St. Johnstone started the match on the front foot when Jamie Gullan picked out Josh McPake and the Championship's star player went close as he curled an effort just wide of the post. The Saints kept the early pressure up and managed to get themselves in front when Jamie Barjonas fouled Gullan for a Saints' free-kick which Ruari Paton stepped up and curled over the wall and past Harry Stone and into the back of the net and St. Johnstone took the lead.
Saints pushed forward for a second; Paton slipped in Sam Stanton but his shot was deflected behind for a corner kick which Gullan took from the left but Cheick Diabate's header went over the crossbar and out for a goal kick. Gullan's deliveries was causing the Diamonds' all sorts of problems and after the Airdrie defence managed to clear an initial cross, the striker then wipped the ball back into the box which was met by the head of Morgan Boyes who scored past Stone and it was two for the Saints.
What it means to score your first goal for the club 😍
— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) April 11, 2026
Love it, Morgan.#SJFC | @MorganBoyes1 pic.twitter.com/AnyLAat3Un
And St. Johnstone went three ahead just one minute later through an excellent move when Gullan played another delivery into the box which was managed to reach Paton wh was able to score from close range at the back post, three for the Saints and two for Paton after only 35 minutes on the clock.
In the second half St. Johnstone could have extended their lead further; again a Gullan delivery into the box was met by Boyes who headed towards goal but could not trouble Stone in the goal. Gullan could have got a goal that his play deserved but his curling effort went just wide of the target. But Saints did manage to score a fourth after Stanton was tripped in the penalty box by Craig Ross; McPake stepped up and converted home and the points were secure.
No game next week for St. Johnstone due Dunfermline's semi-final in the Scottish Cup. The Saints though know if they win their next two matches, regardless of Thistle's next results, then they will secure the Championship title and immediate promotion back to the Premiership. Airdrieonians' fail to pick up any points and make up ground on the teams above them and will remain in the relegation play-off spot.
Raith Rovers 3-2 Greenock Morton
Nsio (60'), Cameron (66'), Doherty (84'); Blues (44'), Shaw (74')
After a successful triumph in last Sunday's KDM Evolution Trophy final, Raith Rovers were back at Stark's Park looking to keep up their good recent run of form and performances; wins against Airdrieonians and Ayr United have seen Dougie Imrie's table heading back up the table. The game marked Ian Murray's return to Kirkcaldy and got a good welcome back from the Rovers' supporters but was looking for a third win in their last eight matches.📹 A well deserved three points.
— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) April 11, 2026
Highlights from Saturday's thriller at Stark’s Park. pic.twitter.com/sCzpCqsKCk
With three wins in their last four, in all competitions, Raith started the match the better of the two teams and had the first opportunity of the game when a corner was played into the Morton box and the ball found the head of Jai Rowe but his effort went narrowly over the bar. Rovers kept the pressure up and unleashed an excellent counter attack when Morton played in a free-kick into the box and was cleared up the pitch by Kai Montagu, who took the ball on a run goalwards, and the midfielder sent the ball into the path of Innes Cameron who tried his luck but was saved well by Murray Johnson.
Raith kept the pressure up on the search for the opening goal, Paul Nsio threaded the ball through to Cameron who was denied again by Johnston. And after Josh Mullin's attempt was blocked; a corner was played into the Ton box, Rowe once again got his head on the ball which beat Johnson but smacked the crossbar and out for a goalkick. But despite not being in the game it was Morton who took the lead when Owen Moffat picked out Cammy Blues on the edge of the box and the midfielder shot high and hard past Josh Rae and into the net.
Rovers didn't let the goal phase them and began the second half on the front foot once again, another corner was played in the box and Rowe once again got on the end of the delivery but could not direct his header goalward. And just moments later Rovers' managed to get an equaliser; which came moments after Josh Mullin went down in the box, which appeared to be a penalty but Lloyd Wilson was unmoved, but the hosts kept possession and the move going and eventually the ball was collected in the box by Nsio who moved forward and cut on his right and fired home past Johnson.
Dougie Imrie's side then went ahead and it was an excellent counter attack which seen Josh Mullin tee up on rushing Rowe down the right hand wing and the fullback sent the ball into the box where Innes Cameron met it at the back post and the ball whizzed past Johnson and Rovers were ahead for the first time. But the visitors somehow managed to get back on level terms quickly when Michael O'Halloran was played in the box and passed the ball across goal where Nathan Shaw simply could not miss and the Ton were level.
The drama of the game was still developing at a fast pace and the hosts were awarded a penalty when Iain Wilson handled the ball in the box. Dylan Easton, so often reliable from the penalty spot, tried to almost pass the ball into the corner but Johnson dived the right way and held onto the shot. But the Rovers went back ahead when Lewis Stevenson sent in a corner kick where Jordan Doherty was lurking at the near post and headed home. But the points were still not secure and the Rovers needed their number one to give them a deserved win; Jackson Longridge looked like he was certain to score but Josh Rae denied the fullback with an excellent save and the win was secured.
Stoppage time in the second half and Josh Rae absolutely delivering the goods. 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/y5MlqF5SRF
— Oh No No No Podcast (@ONNNpodcast) April 12, 2026
It's four wins out of their last five, in all competitions, for the Rovers and need at least one more point to be secure of their Championship safety and Dougie Imrie is finally getting the consistency that the Rovers faithful have been crying out for this season. It's back-to-back defeats for Morton which keeps the Ton in eighth place and six points clear of Airdrieonians in the relegation playoff spot, and the Diamonds have a game in hand over Ian Murray's men.
Queen's Park 1-0 Ross County
Connolly (16')
🎦 Match highlights
— Queen's Park FC (@queensparkfc) April 11, 2026
🕷️ Queen's Park 1-0 Ross County 🦌
Sponsored by Turban Tandoori, Giffnock pic.twitter.com/RLRZtebDvb
Stuart Kettlewell was not messing around with his choice of words last Saturday when his Staggies' side lost 4-0 to relegation rivals Airdrieonians in Dingwall last Saturday, the County manager describing the result as "the worst in the club's history." They were hoping for better against Sean Crighton's Queen's Park who were without a win in their last three games heading to the meeting at the City Stadium.
Queen's Park started the match on the front-line; Seb Drozd showing why some Scottish Premiership clubs will be after his signature in the summer with some excellent skills and managed to whip the ball into the box but Akil Wright managed to clear the danger away for Ross County. And shortly after Louis Longridge crossed in the box for Henry Fieldson but the fullback just managed to head the ball inches over the bar.
But the Spiders were definitely on the front foot and got themselves in front when Scott Martin clipped in an excellent ball towards the backpost where Aidan Connolly headed the ball past Trevor Carson and into the back of the net, not a good look for the Staggies as they somehow managed to let one of the Championship's smallest players score a free header in their own penalty box.
🕷️⚽️| 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲| 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝟏-𝟎 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲
— Football Park Scotland (@FP_Scotland) April 10, 2026
The Spiders lead the Staggies in the Friday Night Football!
Aidan Connolly, with a rare header, puts Queen's Park ahead against the Championship's bottom side
[📹: @BBCSportScot]pic.twitter.com/woQYYE74Yt
Despite a decent enough reaction from County, it was the Spiders who came close to getting the next goal of the night; Drozd again showing his quality and crossed into the box where Roddy MacGregor got on the end of the delivery but could not finish the chance. But County could have went into half-time level when Kieran Phillips shot from inside the Spiders' penalty box but Calum Ferrie made a save with his foot and denied the striker.
The hosts were the first to threaten in the second-half when Drozd fired just wide from outside the box. Queen's then broke County on the counter attack when Michael Ruth sprinted around 50 yards and managed to lift the ball over a defender's head and went one-on-one with Carson in the goal but the striker was unable to keep his shot down. In truth County showed some spirit and desire but were really unable to create any clear cut chances until Jay Henderson came off the bench and unleashed a shot in stoppage time from outside the box which was saved well by Calum Ferrie.
Win for Queen's Park which should help towards Championship safety, one more point in their final four matches should officially secure their status. As for County they remain bottom of the table, two points behind Airdrieonians in ninth and seven points behind Greenock Morton who are in eighth with three league games to go.
Ayr United 1-0 Arbroath
Murphy (77')
Watch back the action of our victory over Arbroath this afternoon.#WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/ZsOsg9AqON
— Ayr United (@AyrUnitedFC) April 11, 2026
With a midweek defeat against Dunfermline Athletic, Ayr United came into the match against Arbroath on the back of a nine game winless Championship run. However they were facing an Arbroath side who, despite being in third place, have seen their season stuttering. The Red Litchies arrived to Gayfield on the back of losing their last two Championship games and had only won twice in their last ten league games.
There was lots of fight between the two teams but either could really find a good opportunity to open the scoring; Marco Rus was the first to try his luck from just outside the box for the hosts but just wide of goal. Scott Stewart was the first to try his luck for the Red Litchies but his opportunity was blocked well by the Ayr defence. In truth, a header from a corner kick produced the first real opportunity for either side; Ben Dempsey with the delivery to Anton Dowds but the Ayr striker just headed over the crossbar.
Ben Summers was the one bright spark in an even first-half and his effort could have produced the opening goal after the on-loan Celtic midfielder cut inside and tried his luck in front of goal but was denied by a fine save by Aidan McAdams.
In the second-half Ayr started upping the pressure as Dempsey played in Dowds and the striker's shot on the turn was clawed out by McAdams in the Arbroath goal. Ayr kept the momentum up as Summers this time feed in Dowds who tried a low effort which managed to sneak past the post, with the aid of a slight deflection on the way through. McAdams was keeping the Red Litchies in the game as he once again denied Dowds' header following another Dempsey corner. And the goalkeeper kept up his excellent game when he produced another excellent save, this time from Jamie Murphy.
But United finally managed to get the breakthrough their second half display deserved; Jamie Murphy tried his luck from the edge of the penalty box and put in a curling effort which finally managed to beat McAdams and put Ayr in front at Somerset where they managed to hold onto the win without too much trouble from Arbroath.
😍 #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/TKehDEjpqt
— Ayr United (@AyrUnitedFC) April 12, 2026
A first league win for Ayr since the 31st of January, which sees John Rankin's side achieve 39 points with three games to go. Just like Raith Rovers and Queen's Park, United should only need one point from their final run of games to officially be safe from relegation troubles. Arbroath remain in third place and will be hoping to secure a playoff place as soon as possible with the likes of Raith Rovers and Queen's Park still able to take a playoff place at the expense of them or Dunfermline with weeks of the season remaining.
Alec Hayward 
Oliver Seymour 
