Ayr overcome nine-man Partick Thistle

Stuart Bannigan and Shea Gordon both scored and were both sent off as nine-man Partick Thistle fell to a 3-2 defeat by Ayr at Firhill.

Dario Zanatta, recently signed from Hearts, made an early impact on his Jags debut by winning a penalty in the 14th minute which Bannigan fired past Ross Doohan, yet Ayr soon levelled through Luke McCowan.

Gordon re-established Thistle’s lead two minutes from the break, but he also managed to earn a straight red for his challenge on McCowan before half-time.

Somewhat bizarrely, the Jags’ first goalscorer Bannigan was the next man dismissed after fouling McCowan shortly after the hour.

Kris Doolan soon made Thistle pay for their lack of discipline by equalising in the 72nd minute, his left-footed drive following up a shot that had hit a post.

With the hosts scrambling to fill gaps, Stephen Kelly picked out the top corner for an Ayr winner.