Ayr United 0-5 Partick Thistle: Jags cruise into Scottish Premiership play-off

Partick Thistle continued their goalscoring spree to achieve the cinch Premiership play-off ultimate with a 5-0 win over 10-player Ayr at Somerset Park.

Scott Tiffoney hit a double and Jack McMillan, Steven Lawless and Kevin Holt have been additionally on the right track because the Jags secured an 8-0 combination victory.

Championship runners-up Ayr had high goalscorer Dipo Akinyemi despatched off to cap a depressing play-off expertise for the striker and the membership.

Thistle will tackle both Kilmarnock or Ross County within the two-legged ultimate, with the Staggies needing to win at Rugby Park on Sunday to keep away from a tough impediment to retaining their top-flight standing.

The Jags have scored 16 targets in 4 play-off wins and have solely misplaced as soon as in 17 video games since Kris Doolan took cost.

Though a fourth-placed workforce within the Championship has by no means received the play-offs, Thistle now have an additional two days’ relaxation than their opponents earlier than the primary leg subsequent Thursday after having a full week between each video games in opposition to Ayr.

Ayr midfielder Reece McAlear had an early strike saved however the sting was taken out of the sport within the seventh minute when McMillan netted his third purpose of the play-off marketing campaign.

The suitable-back supplied the impetus to the transfer with a run into the field and his cross finally fell for Aidan Fitzpatrick, whose shot was stopped by Ayr goalkeeper Charlie Albinson. McMillan was completely positioned to nod the rebound over the road.

There have been probabilities at both finish within the following moments however Thistle regarded the extra harmful aspect and the house aspect’s slim hopes disappeared within the twenty fifth minute when Akinyemi was despatched off.

The striker, who missed the primary leg via sickness, reacted angrily to being held by Aaron Muirhead and tried to push the defender away.

The person whose 24 targets earned him the PFA Scotland Championship participant of the 12 months award caught the defender within the face together with his arm and Muirhead went down and acquired therapy.

Referee Colin Steven took a very long time to ship his punishment however Akinyemi was already strolling in the direction of the tunnel earlier than the crimson card was proven.

Ayr supervisor Lee Bullen didn’t seem like in settlement and pointed his finger at somebody on the pitch. His temper worsened two minutes later when Thistle doubled their lead on the counter-attack.

Fitzpatrick broke down the left, took his time and picked out Tiffoney on the far publish to knock house. The previous Ayr mortgage participant celebrated by placing his finger to his mouth in entrance of the house help.

Albinson saved one on one from Brian Graham earlier than Tiffoney added one other purpose within the 54th minute. A beautiful first-time move from Lawless despatched McMillan down the appropriate and his low cross was turned house from six yards.

Lawless netted within the 63rd minute with a reverse end after Albinson had palmed away Holt’s cross.

Substitutes Anton Dowds, twice, and Danny Mullen missed good probabilities for the guests earlier than Holt headed house Kyle Turner’s 88th-minute nook.

What‘s subsequent?

Ayr will now play Ross County or Kilmarnock within the play-off ultimate, reside on Sky Sports activities. The primary leg is on Thursday, kick-off 8pm.