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Having tasted defeat just once in their last nine outings, momentum building Partick Thistle found themselves just six points off the league summit. With the clash against Raith Rovers being shifted to the Friday night to accommodate television scheduling, the Jags knew that a victory in Kirkcaldy would have them right back in the title race.

Thistle would have to be on their A-game at Starks Park - a place they have historically struggled - as they took on the Championship comeback kings. Ian Murray’s side have garnered a reputation for scoring late goals this season, with the Fife outfit winning an incredible 16 points from goals scored in the 87th minute onwards, the first of which coming back on the opening day of the league campaign as the Rovers notched two late goals to snatch a point at Firhill.

Thistle were bolstered by the return of the division’s top goalscorer Brian Graham to the starting lineup and the striker came close to breaking the deadlock inside the first minute. Kerr McInroy floating a ball onto the head of the Jags number nine, only to be denied by a great stop from Kevin Dabrowski at his near post.

The home side found the breakthrough on 13 minutes through a slice of good fortune. The referee awarding Rovers a corner much to the confusion of the noisy Thistle following behind the goal who were adamant the ball had gone behind for a goal-kick. The resultant corner headed home by ex-Hamilton centre-back Daniel O’Reilly to put the hosts a goal up.

The Jags went in at the break with a one goal deficit and gaffer Kris Doolan will have spent much of his half-time team talk stating the importance of the next goal with the tie still hanging in the balance. It was all in vain however, as Thistle gave themselves a mountain to climb within 60 seconds of the restart.

A scuffed clearance from goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon sent the ball straight to the feet of Dylan Easton. The Raith playmaker taking a touch to set himself before firing the Rovers two goals to the good.

Thistle found themselves with a lifeline back into the game just five minutes later. McInroy whipping an inviting ball into the danger area only for the aforementioned O’Reilly to put the ball into his own net. The own goal breathing new life into the jags as they went in hunt of an equalizer. Wing-back Jack McMillan was next to try his luck and he thought he had won his side a penalty when his goal bound effort struck a Raith hand inside the penalty area only for referee Alan Muir to wave away claims for a spot kick.

READ MORE: Diack steps up to the mark as Thistle close gap on top spot

Alan Muir would however point to the spot just moments later after a second Raith handball in as many minutes. Up stepped Graham, who sent Dabrowski the wrong way for his 11th goal of the season. Parity restored on the scoreboard. Thistle level.

With the Jags now in the ascendency, that mountain they had given themselves was soon summited. Veteran winger Steven Lawless sending a cross deep into the box in search of Harry Milne who rose highest at the back post to knock the ball down for Blair Alston to bundle across the line. An incredible recovery from Doolan’s men as they completely turned the game on its head. Action packed Partick Thistle were once again livinng up to their TV billing.

From 2-0 down and staring at a defeat, the Jags had somehow mustered a second wind and found themselves leading by three goals to two. However, the Thistle rearguard would have to stand resolute if they were to leave Kirkcaldy with all three points. This Rovers side simply do not know when they are beaten, having scored an incredible 15 goals in the last 15 minutes of action across all competitions already this season - a number that was soon to be added to.

Having gone a goal behind, Raith looked to shuffle things in attack with the introduction of Callum Smith from the bench. The forward had Rovers back level on 79 minutes with a fine strike from the edge of the area beating Sneddon at his near post, and the former Airdrie man wasn’t finished there. Just moments later, a lapse in concentration from the Thistle defence allowed Rovers to take a quick free kick, finding Smith in the box who duly squared the ball for Sam Stanton to put Raith Rovers back in front. A sucker punch for the Jags, their hard work undone as they are edged out in a seven-goal thriller.

A sore one to take for Thistle boss Doolan, having seen his side produce an incredible fight back to score three goals away from home, only to leave empty handed. The Jags have little time to lick their wounds as they head back across the Kincardine Bridge this weekend, looking to reaffirm their position in third place as they take on Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park with the Fifers hot on their heels ready to capitalise on any further slip ups.