TOM WALSH gloriously ended Inverness Caley Thistle’s sequence of draws to plunge Partick Thistle into second-bottom place in the Championship standings.
A wonderful curled shot in 70 minutes was too good for Cammy Bell and clinched a big win for the Highlanders, who had tied their previous seven matches.
And manager John Robertson hopes his players are now recognised properly for their achievements.
He said: “I’m relieved for the players. That’s 24 games unbeaten and they haven’t got the credit they deserve because of the number of draws.
“We needed the win and it took a wonderful goal to win the game and also two outstanding saves from Mark Ridgers, who has been excellent for well over a year, to see us over the line.
“It was a battling three points and with Ayr and Ross County dropping points it was a bonus for us.”
Thistle were lively in the first half but crucially missed two very good opportunities.
Blair Spittal played the ball up to the edge of the box where Kris Doolan brilliantly laid it off to Jai Quitongo who had a clear sight of goal but shot too close to Mark Ridgers who made the save.
Spittal was the creator again in 25 minutes when he sliced through the middle before picking out Doolan who spun on to his left side and tried to find the right corner but pulled his shot wide.
Inverness took control after the break and their goal in 71 minutes and it was a touch of class from Walsh.
He cut in from the left and curled a terrific right foot shot that Bell got a hand to but could not prevent from flying into the top right corner.
But Partick Thistle blew a fantastic chance to grab a point in 75 minutes. The Firhill side won a penalty when Charlie Trafford handled in the box but Spittal’s spot kick was saved by Ridgers and then the keeper blocked Doolan’s follow-up.
Gary Caldwell, who has now lost all four of his matches in charge, said: “It was very frustrating but I said to the players I was extremely proud of them.
“That is the way I want to see the team play – with energy and an attacking desire to go and win the game and they gave absolutely everything.
“While we are bitterly disappointed, in terms of where we were last Saturday it is a bit of progress and we have to build on that.”
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