Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Scott McDonald stole away from the defence to nod home Joe Cardle's cross after four minutes

Aidan Fitzpatrick's 90th-minute goal lifted Partick Thistle off the foot of the Scottish Championship and dented Dundee United's title ambitions.

Fitzpatrick's late winner came on the counter-attack after Nicky Clark's wonderful free-kick cancelled out Scott McDonald's early back-post header.

Thistle leapfrogged Alloa into ninth and are now a point behind Falkirk.

But United are eight points adrift of league leaders Ross County, who have a game in hand.

Robbie Neilson's men were denied a penalty when Jamie Robson was brought down in the box, then had a stoppage-time effort by Pavol Safranko ruled out for offside.

Partick Thistle manager Gary Caldwell: "It was a magnificent result under pressurised circumstances. We threw our bodies on the line, defended really well, and gambled at the end and got our rewards.

"These players. the character they've shown recently and the momentum we're starting to build, it's good going into Tuesday [Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against Hearts]."

Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson: "It was the biggest stonewall penalty you would ever see. If you watch it again everyone will see it. It's like 'wow'. The boy nearly took his leg off.

"The referee sent me to the stand at half time for allegedly saying something to him, which I didn't say. I think that has influenced him in his decision later on. I don't think he will look back on it with the greatest of happiness as what he was like today."