EK Thistle..4 Greenock...2
Steven McClung hailed his Jags after a Scott Hadden hat-trick inspired them to victory over Greenock.
The Thistle boss watched his side ease their fears of being pulled into a relegation battle at the bottom of West Region League One after a Callum McLean strike was followed by a superb hat-trick from Hadden.
The seventh win of the season opened up an eight-point gap over Yoker, who sit in the last relegation spot and have played three games more.
But the most pleasing aspect for McClung was the way they responded to last week’s defeat to Blantyre - branded their worst display by assistant boss Colin Mitchell.
“We asked the boys a couple of questions after last week’s performance and their reaction was different class,” said McClung.
“The boys have been brilliant since Mitch and I came in, apart from that last game so we maybe have to give Blantyre a bit of credit for that.
“But on Saturday we were brilliant and 4-2 flatters Greenock because they got a penalty near the end.
“We were unbelievable at times and it just shows us what the boys can do.
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“It should have been a lot more, but we’ll take the three points.
“It’s a very tight league and if you win a game you can jump right up, but I think we are okay now points wise.”
McLean broke the deadlock with a low drive inside the box after 16 minutes, but the visitors pulled level midway through the first half.
Thistle were dominant, however, and they were rewarded in 31 minutes when Hadden swung in a free-kick from the left.
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Matt Gray tried to get on the end of it but the ball evaded him - and everyone else - to nestle in the bottom corner.
In 51 minutes Hadden lit up the game with a trademark wonder goal, a stunning half-volley from 30 yards, to edge EK 3-1 in front.
Five minutes later man of the match Hadden completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before Greenock converted a spot-kick of their own late on.
McClung added: “Haddy was outstanding.
“His second goal was fantastic. He’s hit a half-volley 30-yards out with the outside of his foot right into the corner. I’m delighted for him.”
A trip to title hopefuls Shotts now awaits on Saturday.
The sides drew 1-1 at the Showpark in August and McClung said: “Shotts will be a tough game. They are going for the league, but I don’t think they’ll want to play us.
“We are in good form and we usually do quite well against them, so we are looking forward to it.”
Kick-off at Hannah Park is 2pm.
