Division One: Partick Thistle 1 Queen of the South 0

May 3 2010

Jonny Tuffey

SUPERSUB Kris Doolan smashed home a 25 yard screamer with the last kick of the season to ensure Jags mate Jonny Tuffey bowed out of Firhill on a high.

Doolan's wondergoal might not have meant all that much in the great scheme of things - but it meant the world to Tuffey, pictured, who described the 1-0 win over Queens as the "perfect" way to say goodbye.

The goalkeeper is set to depart Thistle after four great years in Maryhill and said afterwards: "It was the perfect day - getting the win, keeping a clean sheet and a couple of saves. You can't ask for much more as a goalie."

Thistle were desperate to end the season on a high and started with a youthful, attacking line-up with Chris Erskine and Martin Grehan leading the frontline along with the experienced Simon Donnelly.

And it was Grehan who should have opened the scoring on 26 minutes when he was presented with an almost open-goal by Erskine only to watch in horror as he scuffed his shot wide.

Simon Donnelly then had a great chance to net for the home side but Jordan McMillan got back to block brilliantly.

Queens were looking for the points to secure third place and went close on 42 minutes when Tuffey produced a marvellous save to deny Stephen McKenna whose shot had taken a wicked deflection.

The visitors were unlucky not to net the opener in 54 minutes when Derek Holmes clipped the outside of a post.

Doolan emerged from the bench with 20 minutes remaining to replace Donnelly and the former junior international almost opened the scoring with his first touch but was denied by David Hutton's flying save.

Tuffey then excelled again at the other end as he touched a Sean O'Connor effort around the post as both sides went in search of a winner.

Grehan went close when his shot just evaded the post again as the minutes ticked down.

But, just as it looked like the season would end with a stalemate, Doolan steped up to end it in spectacular style two minutes into injury time when he curled a superb left-foot shot into the top corner giving Hutton absolutely no chance.

There was barely time to restart the match.

Doolan paid tribute to the departing Tuffey afterwards. He said: "You always feel safe with Jonny in goal and we're all sorry he has to move. But good luck to him.

"As for me, I'm hoping to convince the gaffer I have a big part to play and maybe my late goal will help."