THE face of Alan Archibald told a story.
That was fortunate as the Partick Thistle manager had arrived in Firhill's main stand seeming ill-inclined to say all that much about a match in which his side had once more looked the part, only to concede three times and be reduced to 10 men.
Thistle have been welcome guests in the SPFL Premiership this season but have still to make themselves at home - goals from Steven Thompson and Conor Newton yesterday adding to that feeling of unease.
The home side had chances to put their feet up within the opening 12 minutes, though, as Kallum Higginbotham and Steven Lawless manoeuvred the ball into the path of Kris Doolan, only for his shot to be charged down. James Craigen then headed wide of a post.
The midfielder voiced his frustration, his effort having already spoken an exasperating truth about this Thistle side. Watching them can seem like you are being asked to appreciate the technique involved in embroidery regardless of how the final image looks; the Firhill side are capable of showing off some neat passing but too often are left at a loose end. Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Stephen O'Donnell and Higginbotham would each stitch together further chances, only for those to unravel in front of goal.
It is Thistle's incapacity to score which retains focus since that is considered the greatest test of a newly-promoted side so they might have been content when attention fell elsewhere.
That it would become fixed on Gabriel Piccolo was hardly comforting, though, the Mexican first misjudging an early cross to allow Thompson to flick the ball on for Paul McGowan, who then battered it past a post. The Thistle defender then returned a pass to Scott Fox which forced the goalkeeper to clear under pressure. Fox would be left feeling vulnerable after 19 minutes when Thompson glanced Kenny McLean's cross into the net.
"We showed desire and patience to see the game through," said St Mirren manager Danny Lennon afterwards. The Paisley side would need to bide their time between goals, too, with Newton applying a delicious touch to McGowan's pass after 71 minutes to feed a shot under Fox.
It was a goal which served to take the sting out of the game, although Thistle were already nursing grievances. The home side had probed since going behind but would ask more searching questions of referee John Beaton after 64 minutes when he ignored claims for a penalty. Higginbotham's shot struck the arm of Jim Goodwin in the penalty area but Beaton was unmoved.
"It was a penalty," said Archibald. "You could see that Goodwin has moved his arm across to block the ball."
The decision caused ructions within the home side and Higginbotham seemed to kick through during a challenge on Goodwin minutes later. O'Donnell saw red not long after the incident - the Thistle full-back tugging at John McGinn to receive a second booking - before Thompson scored his second.
"We put a lot of work into this game and Thistle have earned that respect," Lennon added. "They will be gaining experience with each game as you can't just go out and bake the same cake every week."
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