PARTICK THISTLE gaffer Ian McCall today refused to blame Partick Thistle's failure to gain clearance for new striker Stevie Lovell for the Jags' 2-1 home defeat by Raith Rovers.

PARTICK THISTLE gaffer Ian McCall today refused to blame Partick Thistle's failure to gain clearance for new striker Stevie Lovell for the Jags' 2-1 home defeat by Raith Rovers.

The former Falkirk and Aberdeen striker was signed on Friday morning but his clearance was not completed in time to face the Fifers.

Subsequently, a largely toothless Thistle lost their unbeaten home record and conceded their first home goal in 492 minutes of league football at Firhill in the process.

Saturday's defeat means the Jags drop to fifth place in the First Division, four points behind new leaders Queen of the South.

But McCall said: "It was just red tape and we are not going to use that as an excuse.

"These things happen. I thought Raith deserved to win because they were sharper than us.

"I thought Raith closed us down and knocked it in behind us and it worked.

"The second goal was a bit fortunate and certainly preventable but we didn't cut them open as we have been doing other sides.

"Really we only had maybe a couple of good chances other than the goal, but we have been creating five or six a game in recent weeks.

"The bottom line is we were very poor and Raith deserved to win."

This was indeed a sub-par performance from Partick.

The most worrying aspect was perhaps the way they were unable to offer much against a Raith side who simply sat in and hit hard on the counter.

While Thistle dominated possession, especially after the interval, they lacked the cutting edge and directness of their opponents.

The fact that Gregory Tade's searing pace led to Rovers winner may also have irritated McCall, given his reported interest in signing the Frenchman last season. Indeed, it is the lack of genuine pace that sometimes renders the Partick pedestrian and allows teams like Raith to re-group and hold firm.

Perhaps Lovell will make the difference in that regard. Time will surely tell, though, and the Firhill fans will be keen to see him playing as soon as possible.

As for the action, a dull first half came to life five minutes before the interval when the Jags took the lead against the run of play.

Simon Donnelly latched on to a David Rowson pass and scrambled home a low finish from eight yards out.

However, Raith retaliated almost immediately. After 42 minutes, Ryan Wallace rifled home from the edge of the Partick area and finally spoiled the British game's longest unblemished home record after 492 minutes.

Thistle were much better after the break but just as they appeared to be taking control of proceedings, they were caught on the counter by the lightning-quick Tade.

With the Jags back line caught out, Johnny Tuffey denied the Raith striker with a superb save but Robert Sloan was on hand to smash home the loose ball.

Thereafter Thistle huffed and puffed but ultimately failed to produce the directness required to save the game.

And despite McCall's philosophical mood after the game, he and his players will be aware that the home defeat is their most damaging result of the season so far.

Meanwhile, delighted Raith manager John McGlynn said: "We are pleased to have taken the three points and especially after a second half in which Partick Thistle put us under a lot of pressure.

"However, we will continue to take one game at a time. The aim remains the same as it was at the start of the season. That is to be in the First Division at the end of the season."

Partick Thistle: Tuffey, Paton, Archibald, Hodge (Erskine, 62), Roberston, Maxwell (Corrigan, 25), Cairney, Rowson, Buchanan, Donnelly (Hamilton, 67), Corcoran. Subs not used: Hinchcliffe, Doolan.

Raith Rovers: McGurn, Wilson, Ellis, Campbell, Hill, Murray, Wallace (Ferry, 59), Walker, Russell, Tade, Sloan. Subs not used: Wedderburn, Bryce, Whatley, O'Connor.

Referee: B Winter.

Attendance: 3084.