McNamara has a go after his Jags come up well short

The Jags went into the Irn-Bru First Division clash in decent form after impressive performances in recent weeks.

This included the 5-0 thrashing of high-flying Morton in their last outing, but the Jags were off the pace as they slumped to a 2-0 loss at Stark's Park.

Defeat had Thistle slip behind John McGlynn's side in the standings, down into the bottom half of the table and five points adrift of new leaders Ross County.

Chances were few and far between for the visitors as goals from Laurie Ellis and John Baird sealed their fate.

McNamara was disappointed with a below-par showing from his players.

He said: "It wasn't a good performance. We never did what we have been doing in the last few games, we never passed the ball and started going from back to front, which doesn't suit us.

"The boys looked good in training last week and they passed the ball well, but we didn't do it on Saturday and that was really disappointing.

"You have got to give Raith Rovers credit, they are organised and difficult to play against.

"They scrap for second balls, it was a tight pitch and we didn't have any width in midfield.

"We found it difficult to get our momentum going and never played like we have shown we can.

"It was frustrating. There was a good crowd with us but we didn't play football at all. I don't like to see us playing like that."

Thistle have now taken just one point – at Dingwall last month – on the road this season, with their away form in stark contrast to their free-flowing showings at Firhill.

Their cause was not helped by Christie Elliot's early exit from the field of play, with the striker replaced by Tommy Stewart in the first half.

McNamara said: "Christie wasn't well last week. He had a sore throat on Friday and, although he was given something by the doctor, he wasn't right in the game.

"He had problems with his breathing so we had to take him off but hopefully he will be okay soon."