In a thrilling encounter at Somerset Park, Partick Thistle turned the tables on Ayr United with a stunning 2-1 aggregate victory in the play-off quarter-finals, thanks to a remarkable brace from Brian Graham. The match, held on May 9, 2025, saw Graham score his 100th goal for the club, a significant milestone that capped off a dramatic comeback after trailing 1-0 from the first leg.
The Jags, co-managed by Graham himself, entered the match with a sense of urgency, knowing they needed to overturn the deficit. They didn’t waste any time, as Graham headed home just six minutes into the game, leveling the aggregate score. Jamie Low, a 17-year-old making his professional debut, delivered a perfect corner that allowed Graham to escape the attention of Ayr defender Mark McKenzie and nod the ball into the net.
Ayr United, looking to build on their first-leg advantage, started brightly. In the opening moments, Ben Dempsey’s header was cleared only as far as Scott McMann, who blasted over the bar. Marco Rus then forced a solid save from Thistle goalkeeper David Mitchell with a shot from 15 yards, indicating that the home side was keen to assert their dominance.
However, following Graham's equalizer, Ayr appeared unsettled. They struggled to find their rhythm, and a series of unforced errors crept into their game. Aidan Fitzpatrick had a chance to capitalize on a mistake by Lenny Agbaire, but his shot was easily saved by Josh Clarke, the Ayr keeper.
As the first half progressed, both teams exchanged chances but failed to convert. Thistle's Kyle Turner limped off five minutes before halftime and was replaced by Zander MacKenzie, adding to the visitors' injury woes. Despite the setbacks, Thistle remained resilient and went into the break with the momentum on their side.
The second half saw Ayr ramp up the pressure, desperate to regain control. They nearly found the equalizer shortly after the restart when Connor McLennan crossed for Watret, but the latter’s header went over the bar. Scott Brown, Ayr's manager, made tactical changes, bringing on Jay Henderson and Curtis Main to increase their attacking threat.
Despite their efforts, Ayr struggled to create clear-cut chances. Thistle's defense, led by a makeshift backline, held firm against the onslaught. The game continued to ebb and flow, with both sides creating half-chances but failing to find the finishing touch.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed the match was heading for extra time. However, Graham had other ideas. In the 87th minute, he showcased his experience and poise, receiving a header from Alex Jakubiak after a long free-kick. Graham made no mistake, rifling the ball past Clarke and sending the Thistle supporters into a frenzy.
The Jags' away fans invaded the pitch in celebration, reveling in the momentous occasion as Graham not only secured the win but also marked his century of goals for the club. The jubilant atmosphere contrasted sharply with the heartbreak felt by Ayr United, who were left to ponder what went wrong after dominating large portions of the match.
In the aftermath, Graham reflected on his achievement, stating, "It’s a special moment for me to hit 100 goals, especially in such a crucial game. The team showed incredible spirit to come back and win. We knew we had to give everything, and we did just that." His co-manager echoed these sentiments, praising the squad's determination and resilience.
With this victory, Partick Thistle now progresses to the Premiership play-off semi-finals for the third consecutive year, where they will face Livingston. The upcoming matchup promises to be another thrilling contest as Thistle looks to build on their momentum.
Ayr United, on the other hand, will have to regroup after a disappointing end to their season. Despite their strong start and moments of brilliance, they were unable to convert their chances into goals when it mattered most. As the dust settles on this play-off heartbreak, the Honest Men will be left to reflect on their performance and consider their strategy for the future.
The match concluded with Ayr coming close to pulling one back in the seven minutes of added time, as McLennan's drive struck the side-netting, but it was too little, too late. The final whistle confirmed Partick Thistle's place in the next round, with their supporters celebrating a historic night that will be remembered for Graham's landmark achievement and the team's fighting spirit.
