Fleming: hot Jags have a First for success

DEREK FLEMING today promised the Partick Thistle support that their Tynecastle heartache will only inspire them in their bid for First Division survival.

Dennis Wyness' 89th- minute strike earned unimpressive Hearts a 2-1 replay victory and a fourth round home tie with Kilmarnock, but it was brave Jags who covered themselves in glory.

Fleming said: "At the end of the day we are out of the cup and Hearts are through to the next round. But I think we can take a lot of credit for the way we performed.

"They may have had the majority of the possession but we had more chances than they did. It's just a gut-wrencher to lose it so late on.

"Before the game the lads all commented on the size of the support that came through - there must have been close to 1500 at Tynecastle - and the players wanted to give them a response.

"Hopefully, although the result didn't go our way, we sent them home proud to be Thistle fans once again.

"If they can keep turning out like that for the rest of the season it would make a massive difference."

With a league six-pointer at St Johnstone looming on Saturday, Fleming has dismissed worries that last night's heavy turf may sap his mates' legs as they bid to climb out of the relegation zone.

Fleming fired: "We played three games over the festive period and played as well as we have done all season, so there are no worries over tired legs for St Johnstone. Everybody is now pulling together and the performances are starting to reflect that.

"We have got ourselves into a bit of a hole but if we can take our form against Hearts over the two cup games into the league, we won't be long in getting out of it."

With wily Jags boss Dick Campbell bringing in Billy Gibson and Andy Dowie to beef up the ranks in a 4-4-2 the Firhill side soon set about their SPL rivals with some gusto.

After eight minutes a vicious Fleming corner was flapped at by nervy Jambos keeper Craig Gordon and Armand One headed home the shock opener.

Jags continued on the offensive with Hearts' central defence of Steven Pressley and Andy Webster being given a torrid time by One.

However, in 34 minutes Phil Stamp found Robbie Neilson at Thistle's near post and although his effort was blocked, Neil MacFarlane slotted home the rebound.

After the break Thistle continued to give as good as they got with Adrian Madaschi immense in a superbly drilled back four. In midfield Fleming covered every blade of grass in a bristling display.

Indeed, Thistle nearly reclaimed the lead when One's 20-yard piledriver was brilliantly tipped over by Gordon as the Scotland ace atoned for his early howler.

However, with extra time beckoning Kevin McKenna's low cross eluded Madaschi and Grant Murray for once and Dennis Wyness was on hand with the coolest of finishes.

With the last attack of the game Fleming again found One with a deep cross, but the Frenchman headed over with the goal at his mercy as Thistle found themselves with no reward for a fine display.

Jags boss Campbell was inconsolable in defeat. He groaned: "I'm gutted. I'm gutted at the winning goal. At 1-1 their goalkeeper had two world class saves, then we sinned at the death but that's cup football.

"I went to Tynecastle to win but we will lick our wounds and take it into the St Johnstone game."

Hearts gaffer John Robertson said: "I thought we deserved to win against a very good Partick side."

Taken from eveningtimes.co.uk