Thistle earn long awaited win over Rob Roy

Thistle required a determined display to see off a Roy Roy side which is fighting for its Premiership survival,
A lot depended on this encounter for Largs too after they had experienced a difficult few weeks of their own after losing their five game unbeaten run to Kilwinning and then being dumped out of the Scottish Cup in Angus.
There were a few changes to the Thistle side with Paul Harkins returning to midfield, while Ben Black was also restored to the left wing as Simon McBryde and Jamie McKenna made way.
It was a cagey start with neither side really dominating proceedings.
Black's pace unravelled Rob Roy's defence but his pass to Scott Adam just didn't break kindly as the Kirkintilloch side desperately cleared.
The visitors' first chance of note came when Gary Carroll shot through a ruck of players but Thistle keeper Jamie McGowan knelt down to save.
On 18 minutes, Harkins free kick on the right wing near the byeline was cleared out to Stuart Faulds who slammed in an effort which Adams got a near back heel on to but the effort just slipped wide of the right post.
And Rabs had a marvellous opportunity to take the lead when they won a penalty kick as Thistle's Craig Forbes was ruled to have upended Michael Tuohy. The decision came just after Kieran Brophy had fell under a challenge from Jordan Currie McLean at the other end which had looked a more likely penalty.
Carroll stepped up but blazed the ball over the bar on 21 minutes much to Thistle's relief.
David Gray blazed over after some good possession play from The Rabs but Largs were starting to knock on the door as half-time approached.
Harkins set up Black whose smart shot produced a great save from the Kirkie keeper JC Hutchison.
Hutchison then had to pull off a double block as Faulds and Adams both had shots in quick succession during another penalty box raid. 
Adam was blocked by the keeper again as the half-time whistle sounded, and it was a sigh of relief for Roy Roy after withstanding some strong pressure from Largs.
Rob Roy were still dangerous on the counter and Grant Brennan's imaginative diagonal lob after he cut in from the right floated just passed the left post.
It was Black's energetic pace which resulted in Rob Roy defenders crowding him out and pulling him down as he seemed intent on racing through on goal and a penalty was awarded for Thistle.
This time Adam stepped up and make no mistake on 64 minutes as he fired in an effort which pinged off the side of the left post and into the back of the net.
Forbes raced through next as Largs were showing their quick pace but was tripped, and Danny O Halloran found his way into the referee's book for a challenge.
Rob Roy nearly found a leveller but Martin McBride's dangerous curling shot shaved the post.
The Thistle pressure was mounting and they won another penalty kick on 74 minutes as Adam was fouled as he was attempting to pull the trigger on the right from close range.
This time Adam selected the same position near the left of the goal, and keeper Hutchison guessed correctly to block.
Adam never let his head go down though and was instrumental in Thistle's second goal of the afternoon which really was the clincher.
Sub Will Sewell made it 2-0 after he capitalised on Rob Roy indecision after good work from Adam as defenders collided with each other.
Sewell raced on and rounded the keeper to have the simple job of firing into an empty net on 76 minutes.
This had the effect of breaking Rob Roy's resolve and as an attacking force as Thistle ramped things up in the end and could have won by more.
Both McKenna and McBryde came on for the final stages and Forbes went close while McKenna was on the end of one bad challenge which resulted in another yellow card for the visitors.
Rob Roy put up a plucky fight and this was far from a straight forward victory for Largs but the important thing for Thistle was to get back to winning ways and show their mental spirit and determination after things had gone against them recently.
Defensively both George Sewell and John Mitchell put in a good shift, while Harkins quality passing added some extra bite to the Thistle movement, and the icing on the cake was seeing young Will Sewell get on the scoresheet. 
LARGS: McGowan, Eardley, McMaster, Mitchell, Sewell, Faulds, Brophy, Forbes, Adam, Harkins, Black. Subs: Love, McBryde, McKenna, Sewell, Lundy (GK).
Photos: John Keachie
Next Game: West of Scotland Cup, Saturday 9 November, Lugar (H), 2pm kick-off.