Partick were the stronger side

Motherwell made three changes to the side which suffered a 5-1 thrashing against Livingston last week.

The influential James McFadden returned from suspension and in came Daniel Sengewald and William Kinniburgh, while Keith Lasley, Dougie Ramsay and Dirk Lehmann had to settle for places among the replacements.

There was little for the sparse crowd to get excited about in the early stages with both teams struggling to find any rhythm.

The home side gradually began to assert themselves and after 20 minutes 'Well keeper Stevie Woods had to produce a decent save to block a close-range Hardie header.

Four minutes later Lilley sent a header narrowly over the crossbar following a cross from Alan Archibald.

Partick's hard work paid off on the half-hour mark when a Burns corner picked out Hardie in the area and he nodded past a helpless Woods from six yards to clinch his first league goal of the season.

Scott Leitch was sent of for 'Well

Partick almost netted just seconds after the interval when Gerry Britton broke free and surged into the box before unleashing the shot but sent the effort crashing into the side-netting.

Motherwell found themselves two goals behind after in the 52nd minute after McLean squared the ball to Burns on the 18-yard line and he bulleted Thistle's second goal past a motionless Woods.

Motherwell had the chance to pull a goal back after 58 minutes when McFadden flighted a cross into the box and it was met by substitute Dirk Lehmann but he sent his glancing header just wide of the post.

The Fir Park side had another chance after 65 minutes when Steven Hammell's cross picked out Derek Adams but he nodded straight into the hands of Thistle goalkeeper Kenny Arthur.

The stuffing was knocked out of the visitors when Leitch was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Partick Thistle: Arthur, Lilley, Archibald, Craigan, Whyte, Chiarini, Paterson, Hardie (Gibson 90), Burns, Britton (Buchan 90), McLean (Waddell 87).
Subs Not Used: Budinauckas, McKinstry.

Booked: Hardie.

Motherwell: Woods, Cowan, Hammell, Sengewald (Lehmann 55), Corrigan, Pearson, Leitch, Adams, Kinniburgh (Lasley 76), McFadden, Khaled (Ferguson 77).
Subs Not Used: Ewings, Ramsey.

Sent Off: Leitch (72).
Booked: Pearson, McFadden, Kinniburgh, Leitch.

Attendance: 5,405
Referee: T Brown