McCall made three changes from the side that lost at Inverness last week with Vigurs, Lawson and McHugh missing out in favour of Carswell, Francis-Angol and Anier.
We kicked off facing the 1,000 Thistle fans in the South stand and for the first twenty minutes we nullified the visitors' silky passing game by the crafty tactic of holding the ball. Much of our possession centred around interchanges between Hutchinson and McManus with the odd probe in and out to the midfielders with no penetration toward Fox's goal. Although there was no early goalmouth action we were the dominant side and Hollis was untroubled.
Sutton scores the winner - first of many?
What turned out to be the winning goal came after 20 minutes when Francis-Angol set up Sutton for a finish from around 10 yards. It was the striker's first goal in his second spell at Fir Park and a fitting reward for his tireless efforts as a collector.
Anier had a couple of attempts, the first a volley and the second a low drive, both on target. Thistle didn't cause us any problems until they earned a corner as the half time whistle beckoned.
The second half was a different spectacle. As the game wore on the visitors seemed to be camped in our box, forcing some desperate defending - a response to last week's poor display that will please the manager. Yet we had three glorious opportunities to score a second goal!
Lasley missed a sitter when Anier rolled the ball across the six yard line for the onrushing captain It seemed easier to score but his side-footed effort was targeted at the 'keeper. Sutton was next to spurn a chance when Hutchinson headed Faddy's corner to the striker's feet in good position - another opportunity gone. And in added time McFadden (who was obviously out of gas with 20 minutes remaining) found himself with the ball at his feet and unable to muster a shot.
Meanwhile we were under heavy pressure at the other end. Hollis and his colleagues were kept busy for long spells as Thistle threw everything forward. Lawson, Kerr and Vigurs were introduced but they were unable to reverse the flow of the game.
We recorded our first home win of the season but it was far from easy. McCall's search for pace remains unfulfilled and today's performance illustrated, again, the need to add an extra option to our play. Still. after four games we're in the top half of the table and yet to deliver our best.