Thistle Down Ton Late On, Saints Remain Top, Pars Reign Supreme: Scottish Championship Review

Scottish Championship - Saturday's Round 29 Review

Greenock Morton 1-2 Partick Thistle

MacPherson (23'), Lopata-White 🟥 (37'); Stanway (39 Pen'), Samuel (90')

It's been a case of Deja vu for Greenock Morton over Partick Thistle this season, in the last two meetings the Ton have been leading but Thistle grab a dramatic and important 90 plus goal; in October, Alex Samuel grabbed a 93rd minute equaliser for the Jags and in January Tony Watt scored a 94th minute winner at Firhill as Mark Wilson's side came from 2-0 down at half-time.

Alex Samuel had the first chance of the game as he burst through into the Ton box but his low drilled shot across goal was well saved by Murray Johnston. Thistle had the brighter start and thought they went ahead through Ts’oanelo Lets’osa, who rounded around Johnston and into an empty net, but the offside flag had already been raised before the ball hit the net.

Morton however were gradually finding their footing in the game and went ahead around the midway point of the half; Michael Garrity played in Zak Delaney who managed to get his head up and noticed Cammy MacPherson who was in the centre and the former St. Johnstone midfielder steered home and put the hosts in front.

🔵⚽️| 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐏𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧| 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝟏-𝟎 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞

The Ton lead the Jags in the Championship!

Cammy MacPherson puts Ian Murray's side ahead against the title chasers

[📹: @BBCSportScot]pic.twitter.com/JQd1EQJpz7

— Football Park Scotland (@FP_Scotland) March 13, 2026

The Ton had the better of the play afterwards and were looking to find a way to get a second goal; Garrity whipped in a dangerous cross into the box which was deflected as it made it's way to Owen Moffat but Josh Clarke was able to snuff out the danger. Garrity then tried his own luck in front of goal but his effort went straight into the hands of Clarke.

But just before half-time Thistle were awarded a penalty kick; Samuel turned and fed the ball into the path of Paddy Reading who broke through the Ton's backline and was brought down by Reuben Lopata-White and Ross Hardie pointed straight to the penalty spot, the referee also showed a straight red card to the on-loan Leeds defender and the Ton were down to 10 men. Ben Stanway stepped up to take the spot kick and despite Johnston getting a touch of the ball, it found the back of the net and the sides would head into the break level.

⚫️⚽️| 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐲 (𝐏𝐞𝐧)| 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝟏-𝟏 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞

Thistle equalise and it's double whammy for Ton!

Reading brought down by Lopata-White who gets sent off. Stanway converts from the spot

[📹: @BBCSportScot]pic.twitter.com/uJICArweEU

— Football Park Scotland (@FP_Scotland) March 13, 2026

As expected Thistle started the second half brighter, Ben McPherson cut the ball back to the path of Samuel but his low strike was well saved by Johnston. Thistle kept upping the pressure, swinging the ball into the box more and more but just could find a second goal and the Ton were still more than capable of restabilising their lead having looked dangerous on the counter attack; Zak Delaney had their best chance of the second half but his header went just wide.

But Thistle would eventually find themselves ahead and for the third time this season v Morton it would be a 90th minute goal which secured the win, Alex Samuel managed to control the ball in the box and blasted home sending the travelling fans wild.

However Morton had one last chance to get a dramatic equaliser; Lee Ashcroft lost his footing and his slip allowed Kian Taylor to cut the ball past Clarke and into the path of Arron Lyall but his effort was denied on the goalline by Ethan Ingram and Thistle claim a big three points which kept their title pursuit on track.

⚽️| 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞

Partick Thistle win it late on!

Alex Samuel gives the Jags a first away win the Championship since September and move five points behind leaders St. Johnstone

[📹: @BBCSportScot]pic.twitter.com/pSVN7vvwaM

— Football Park Scotland (@FP_Scotland) March 13, 2026

St. Johnstone 1-0 Ross County

McAlear (25')

Contrasting fortunes for these teams who were relegated from the Premiership last season; St. Johnstone remain on course for promotion straight back up to the top flight but Ross County found themselves in yet another relegation battle at the bottom of the table after a defeat to Dunfermline and a draw at Arbroath.

St. Johnstone, as expected, dominated the ball in the opening period of the match but struggled to create too many chances to trouble Trevor Carson in the County goal. But the Saints were not to be denied as they took the lead after 25 minutes on the clock; Josh McPake delivered into the box where it found Reece McAlear and the midfielder with an excellent low effort, from the edge of the County box, sent the ball past Carson and into the far corner.

Finish and dance moves on point 👏💃

Reece with the winner yesterday 💙#SJFC pic.twitter.com/RTb7WkIrM6

— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) March 15, 2026

County could have been level just two minutes later, the ball working it's way to the path of Jayden Carbon but his effort went well wide of Toby Steward's goal. But the game was opening up more and more and Saints were looking bright; McPake playing in Sam Stanton but the midfielder's effort wide of goal. Then Ruari Paton went down in the County box but Colin Steven was not interested and the play eventually continued. McPake then played in Paton but his header went over the crossbar.

Into the second-half and Morgan Boyes crossed from the left into the path of Stanton but header could not be directed on target but Saints were creating plenty of chances but just could not get a second goal which would have ended the game as a contest. This allowed Stuart Kettlewell's side a route back into the game; Toby Steward's throw out was stolen by Jamie Lindsay and the midfielder played in Kieran Phillips but his strike went just wide.

But Saints regained control of the match and managed the closing minutes well and could have got a second goal when Jason Holt tried his luck from the edge of the County box but his effort was well saved by Carson.

Saints remain top of the Championship and remain eight clear of Partick Thistle and next up for them it's an away trip to Firhill as they face Thistle on Friday night. As for County they are bottom on goal difference and are three games without a Championship win.

Dunfermline Athletic 3-0 Raith Rovers

Morrison (27'), Kane (90'), Tod (90+3')

🎥 Watch all of today's #DAFC goals as we defeated Raith Rovers 3-0 in the Fife Derby.

Full Highlights Tomorrow! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/wtvC2BmHin

— Dunfermline Athletic (@officialdafc) March 14, 2026

Dunfermline came into the final Fife derby of the season on the back of an excellent win in the Scottish Cup, knocking out Premiership opposition and the holders Aberdeen 3-0 to set up a semi-final in April against old rivals Falkirk. Raith Rovers were looking for a rare away goal, never mind a rare away win; only six goals scored away from Stark's Park and twelve points picked up out of a possible thirty on the road.

The Pars as expected started the game on the front foot dominating the early possession but unable to create a clear cut chance, Chris Kane, who came on early on for Cup hero Olly Thomas, had the first attempt in front of goal from distance but his shot was parried by Josh Rae. But Dunfermline started to up the pressure, Kane again with a big chance but was unable to convert from a Matty Todd cross.

But Neil Lennon's side went in front through January signing Calumn Morrison who fired a low drilled shot past Rae and into the box.

Plenty of possession and plenty of chances but Dunfermline could not get a second goal before half-time; Morrison counter attacked into the Rovers box and cut the ball back to Kane and then Andy Tod but the ball was eventually dealt with by the Rovers defence and out for a corner kick.

Dougie Imrie must have had strong words at half-time as the Rovers came out of the second-half on the foot; Dylan Easton narrowly firing wide from range. Innes Cameron was then played in after a good ball over the top of the Pars defence but his shot went straight into the hands of Billy Terrell in the Dunfermline goal.

But Dunfermline were finding their groove again towards the end of the game; Chris Hamilton's shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide. Josh Cooper's free-kick was played into the box and found the head of Kyle Benedictus who smashed his header off the crossbar but the linesman had already raised his flag for offside.

But the Pars would not be denied a second goal; Chris Kane slotted home from close range after being played in by Tod and they would get a third late on as well as Tod went from provider to goalscorer and secured three points for Dunfermline.

Four wins in a row for Dunfermline, in all competitions, without conceding. The Pars are finding form and rhythm at the right time of the season. As for the Rovers another bad day away from Kirkcaldy but their eyes will light up as they will not have to be on the travels for the next few week as their next four league games all come at Stark's Park.

Queen's Park 1-1 Ayr United

Murray (33'); Dowds (24')

The best of the action from yesterday match.#WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/wdxbWLnSjf

— Ayr United (@AyrUnitedFC) March 15, 2026

In midweek Queen's Park claimed another impressive win in the Championship and it was away at Somerset Park against their opponents; Michael Ruth scoring a 87th minute winner for Sean Crighton's side which seen them pull away from the relegation playoffs.

Revenge was probably on the mind of Scott Brown and Ayr, who have seen their push for the promotion playoff faulter in the last few weeks, and the Honest Men went ahead midway through the first-half; Francis Turley played the ball into the box where Anton Dowds was there and managed to get his head onto the ball which rattled Calum Ferrie's crossbar, the Spiders number one tried his best to claw the back but the officials deemed that the ball had crossed the line and Ayr went ahead.

Queen's Park didn't let their heads drop and managed to get to an equaliser just minutes later; Callum Smith's cross was headed out by the Ayr defence as far out to Spiders' captain Euan Murray fired in a half-volley past Max Thompson.

In truth the second half seen chances come few and far between and Ethan Walker had two big opportunities to claim a late winner for the Honest Men but both attempts were comfortably saved by Ferrie.

Seven points in a week, not a bad return for Queen's Park who continue to pull themselves away from the relegation playoff spot and bottom of the table. No wins since the 31st of January for Ayr United and have only picked up three points out of their last fifteen available and are now four points behind fourth place Dunfermline Athletic.

Airdrieonians 0-0 Arbroath

The Diamonds and the Red Litchies met for the sixth time this season and the two will be glad to finally see the back of each other when the campaign officially comes to a close. Both sides have picked up wins against each other in the league but Airdrieonians have come out on top twice in recent occasions as they needed penalties to defeat Arbroath in both the Scottish Cup and the KDM Evolution Trophy.

Airdrieonians started this one brightly and the first major incident was Chris Mochrie running into the box and went down but referee Peter Stuart saw no infringement and the game continued. Despite a good spell for Arbroath, it was the hosts who would have the next big chance when Mochrie cutback to Dom Thomas but the Red Litchies defence were able to clear the danger away before an attempt was made.

The game was being played in good spirits but very little in terms of goalscoring action; Harry Cochrane tried his luck ten minutes before the interval but the Arbroath midfielder sent his strike well over. Harry Stone was called into action as he denied Ryan Dow after a mis-hit shot ended up in his path. The visitors were ending the first-half the brighter and it would be Cochrane with another attempt but his shot went wide of the upright.

Jake Hastie had the first clear chance of the second half for the hosts but his effort failed to come down to squeeze the ball under the bar. Scott Constable looked like he was about to open the scoring as Adam Devine sent a cross into his path but was denied by the head of Jack Wilkie.

In truth this game was one that had plenty of effort but the clinical edge just fell short but Arbroath could have won the game in the 89th minute through Gavin Reilly but Stone saved at the near post and the ball ricocheted around the box where Ryan Flynn had an attempt but could not find the back of the net.

Airdrieonians climb above Ross County and off the bottom of the table however for Arbroath it's now four draws in a row which should see their part of the title race coming to an end but still remain firmly in control of third place in the promotion playoffs.