Thistle boss Doolan proud despite Ross County play-off defeat

The Jags fell just short of a top flight return after throwing away a three-goal cushion in the Highlands.

5th Jun 2023

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Kris Doolan said he was proud of his Partick Thistle players despite throwing away a three-goal lead in the Jags’ Premiership play-off defeat to Ross County.

The Firrhill outfit looked to have one foot back in the top flight courtesy of Aidan Fitzpatrick’s goal giving the side a 3-0 cushion on aggregate only to concede three times in the last 20 minutes before losing on penalties.

Staggies keeper Ross Laidlaw saved twice in the shootout before Josh Sims fired in the winning spot kick to preserve County’s Premiership status.

Thistle had led 2-0 from the first leg before Yan Dhanda kickstarted the hosts’ fightback.

Simon Murray tapped in from close range before George Harmon levelled the scores on aggregate.

Jags stopper David Mitchell saved from Jack Baldwin and Keith Watson blazed his effort over the bar when the game went to penalties.

But Kevin Holt, Stuart Bannigan and Ross Docherty missed their kicks to hand Sims the chance to win it for County.

And Doolan admitted his side had chances to put the game to bed.

“I was always confident we would get chances and I felt as if we would take them but it just wasn’t to be,” he said.

“Nobody sets out to miss a penalty, it’s a lottery, [David] Mitchell makes a save. You feel as if that might be the turning point but it just wasn’t to be for us.”