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Well done Big Stew, you're in the report. This one is for you...

Sutherland played on the right wing and Walsh, whilst he was on, operated behind Mckay. After he went off McAlear played as the 10 with Hyde alongside Welsh. We only went 442 when Samuels came on. We started really brightly but the Walsh injury seemed to knock us off our stride and we resorted to the typical hoofball that led to us going 11 games without a win. We probably edged possession without doing too much with it and always looked shaky at the back for long periods of time. Only when Samuels came on and we attacked the Thistle full backs did things seemingly turn back in our favour. Deas seemed to be getting forward a lot more than usual and even Carson seemed to be overlapping Sutherland a lot more in the first half. We really had Thistle pinned back. But with Walsh going off McAlear didn't offer much when pressed further forward and Akinola ate up every high ball battered towards Mckay before we actually tried to stretch the play by using our wide men / full backs on the flanks. Sutherland was very good again and took his chance well before that peach of a cross for the winner. Holt and Akinola seemed to be playing really high up and left a lot of space between them and Sneddon which I guess is why Samuels was sent on. I am not convinced about him but if you want anything from the guy he needs space to run into and last night was that kind of game to be effective. Deas was absolutely superb and Carson, despite his incredible brain fart that should have cost us a goal, handled Tiffoney well. If Partick couldn't get the ball to him there seemed to be little else they had in their locker. Whilst I am delighted to come back and get the win the tie is far from over and we need to perform like we did in the first 15 minutes for the full 90 on Friday if we want to go through.

Back in London after my trip up...well worth it Firstly the pitch was awful, could have cost us in injuries, goals conceded, bookings due to mistimed tackles, so getting through the game with a win was terrific, although gutting for Walsh who had looked bright Second the support was magnificent, and some great songs, it reminded me of some of the great nights at Palace when the crowd are in full cry, awesome stuff. Overall everybody did a great job over the 90+ minutes, although I could have done without the Carson backpass [I'm blaming the pitch] Hardy did better than I expected when he came on, his reverse ball to Sutherland for the 2nd goal was great, terrific pass from Shane and great movement from Samuels [I have high hopes for him]. Generally speaking we were better in all departments, but the pitched levelled it a bit, and football can do funny things so the mantrea 'one game at a time' definitely rings true here A real bonus to see Allardice on the subs bench, he looks pretty trim, MacGregor I'm assuming rested because of a slight knock or reaction, let's hope both get the opportunity to play against Arbroath if [IF] we finish the job on Friday. Finally first time I have seen Hyde, he looks quite a 'tank' [in a strong way] another bonus from the academy

Billy had run himself into the ground by then, and chalmers was on a very generous yellow card. Hardy has done well coming on in both the matches at firhill, has a good touch and links the play quickly - we have opened them up down the middle a fair bit more when he has been on. Despite his size he does cause problems.

Mckay and Chalmers, especially the latter, looked absolutely burst. He had also been booked and, I think, he had another foul afterwards which had the Partick players clamouring for a second yellow so perhaps this was also in Dodds' mind. Billy had been doing a power of running and was getting little change out of Akinola and Holt so a good chance to bring on fresh legs and try and keep the pressure on Partick IMO.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that Samuels could be a really good signing. I was very impressed with him against Kilmarnock, where he proved a decent physical match for Ash Taylor and he has pace to burn. He's clearly not a winger - we learnt that from the games at Hamilton and Partick earlier in the season. But I think with a run of games he could do really well. Obviously Sutherland's wonderful cross was the main factor in the goal but Samuels' instincts to attack that area of the boss, to get the jump on Akinola, were very encouraging.

I am hearing we are in line for £100,000 which will be very handy whichever division we are in.

...and make sure there are no open paint tins.

No. Prose against semi prose...

Is it time for me to say it yet?

So what did you think Dodds was doing when he took off Chalmers and Mckay and put on Harper and Hardy? I reckoned that, having just equalised, he was settling for the draw, and saving two of his key players for Friday, protecting them from both the pitch and from Partick. Didn't quite work out that way ....

We have managed to get ourselves into a strong position ahead of Friday's game, with a bit more football played on a much better pitch we should have enough to finish them off. A strong start and calm heads required, they will come at us hard, dont give them anything to get excited about...we should be able to pick them off and win the tie by a couple of goals at least.

Still buzzing. That was a night and a half. A long time since I've enjoyed a game as much. Brilliant support.

Their promotion reportedly triggers an additional transfer fee to Celtic of either £1m or £2m depending which paper you believe. Hopefully our own sell on clause with Celtic entitles us to a small percentage of that. Well, hopefully it entitles us to a large percentage of that, but even 5% or 10% of it would be gratefully received given our poor financial position.

Last night was a good start but promotion is still 5 tough games away. To progress we will have to be fully committed for all 5.

I say, I agree. Great win, but concerned for Friday night if we are looking like going through Partick will put the boot in with Brian Graham leading the thuggery!!

Amazing result, I would have taken a 1-1 at the start of the game, so coming away with a victory is terrific. We must now get our tactics right on the next game, and not defend from our 18 yard box for the majority of the match. Sutherland has certainly grabbed his second bite at the cherry at ICT and goes from strength to strength. Well done to all the team and travelling support.

Away goals don't count, does that mean it's actually 1-0 to Partick ?....

Five games played in April with 3 won against Kilmarnock, Morton and Hamilton, 1 draw away to Ayr United and 1 lost away to Queen of the South which reflected in the votes. The winner for February is Shane Sutherland The Player of the Year leaders are close with thirteen points separating the top 6. 1st Shane Sutherland, 2nd equal Roddy MacGregor & Billy Mckay, 4th Scott Allardice, 5th equal David Carson & Mark Ridgers. With a possible 6 games to play in May depending how well we play in May there are still a lot of points to be gained so please keep voting.

Standing room only today, a testament in itself to the Big Man's character who touched so many. RIP Big Stew, I'll have a dram or two for you and let's see if we can beat Partick tonight for you.

At last night’s game, his scarf was laid across his seat. A very poignant moment for all involved. Thank You ICT for winning on his behalf!

You can bet we are.