Ross County were defeated 1-0 by Partick Thistle at Firhill, with Andrew Davies’ second-half own goal proving decisive.
The result secured Thistle’s fourth win on the bounce, the first time they have done so since 1977, while County remain fifth despite the loss.
County came into the game on the back of a fine 3-1 win against Hamilton Accies last weekend, and manager Jim McIntyre made just one change from the side that triumphed at New Douglas Park, with Michael Gardyne restored in place of Rafa De Vita.
Thistle were full of confidence having racked up three straight victories, the latest of which being last week’s 2-1 victory against Dundee United. Jags manager Alan Archibald’s only change was to recall on-loan forward Robbie Muirhead, who had been ineligible against his parent club, in place of David Amoo.
County had the better of the limited early chances, the best of which falling to captain Davies on 14 minutes, when he guided Martin Woods’ free-kick goalwards, only to be thwarted by an excellent diving save by Tomas Cerny.
Gardyne was next to threaten for the Dingwall outfit, after receiving a fine pass from Jamie Reckord, but he saw his shot deflected behind by Thistle defender Liam Lindsay.
Thistle’s first glimpse came on 28 minutes when captain Abdul Osman saw his shot blocked by Jackson Irvine, but overall County did well to limit the hosts’ threat throughout the first-half, with Steven Lawless’ half-volley their first attempt on target on 43 minutes.
Gardyne had another attempt on the stroke of half-time, but squeezed his shot just over.
Thistle were eager to improve on their first-half showing after the break, and they seized the initiative on 52 minutes, when Stuart Bannigan’s cross was hacked into his own net by County defender Davies, who was stretching to try and clear the ball, but could only succeed in thumping it past goalkeeper Scott Fox.
County survived a huge let-off on 68 minutes, when Thistle forward Kris Doolan somehow managed to hit the bar twice with two separate headers, with former team-mate Fox making an excellent save to thwart his second attempt. The ball was eventually cleared for a corner, from which Lindsay nodded just over.
The visitors looked to hit back, and substitute Stewart Murdoch had a low shot from the edge of the box saved by Cerny. Moments later, Irvine was adamant he should have had a penalty when he appeared to be tugged to the ground by Osman as he followed up Liam Boyce’s delivery to the far post, with referee Andrew Dallas unmoved.