KRIS DOOLAN savoured a night to remember as he bagged his first four-goal haul to fire Partick Thistle to victory over Hamilton Accies.

The striker turned in a superb scoring performance as he netted twice in either half, clinching his hat-trick with a lovely back-heel finish before heading home his fourth to take his place in the history books as the Jags eased to a 5-0 win.

Doolan said: "It's my first hat-trick here - never mind scoring four. I've scored umpteen doubles, but that's the first time I've hit there or more.

"My last hat-trick was when I was playing junior football I think. That's years and years ago now. It felt brilliant. I'd have taken one goal, but to end up with four is unbelievable. Once the first one goes in, you just want more and more.

"Obviously I hd a chance to get five, but didn't quite manage it."

Doolan was the star of the show as Thistle demolished Hamilton, with substitute Nathan Eccleston completing the rout late on.

And boss Alan Archibald was delighted with his free-flowing attack as they hit the goal trail to move seven points clear of Motherwell in the Premiership standings.

He said: "They were terrific goals. In the St Johnstone game last weekend, we didn't put the ball in the box enough and it was the total opposite last nigh. Every chance we got we ran at them and got the ball in the box. Every goal from Dools was a very good finish.

"His back-heel will get the plaudits, but I thought his header was fantastic, it was a great delivery into the box as well.

"Myself and my assistant Scott Paterson were talking before the game and Dools was on a better run this time last year.

"He has been in and out but hopefully that will give him great confidence."

Accies assistant manager Frankie McAvoy, who is set to join former boss Alex Neil at Norwich next week, did not see the performance coming.

McAvoy, who was directing things from the touchline with suspended player/manager Martin Canning in the stand, said: "Goals change games. We concede a goal and then I could sense a wee bit of nervousness and a few of them maybe feeling a bit sorry for themselves.

"Martin being suspended has probably had an impact on the result and performance. There is a wee bit uncertainty at the club and I'm sure the board will hopefully announce an appointment in the short term."