91�ȱ�

Kris Doolan struck four goals to condemn Hamilton Academical to a comprehensive Premiership defeat.

The striker produced a fine display in front of goal, including an exquisite finish with a deft backheel.

Partick Thistle's final goal arrived in the last minute through substitute Nathan Eccleston.

Accies caretaker player-coach Martin Canning watched from the stand due to suspension, and the club could appoint a successor to Alex Neil this week.

Hamilton once topped the league this season and have looked comfortably placed to finish in the top six, but Thistle overwhelmed them.

The visitors ended the game looking shell-shocked, but in fact they embarked on two early counter-attacks that reflected a team that has played with confidence for a lot of this season.

Thistle were unperturbed though and passed the ball with precision and intent, with right-back Stephen O'Donnell twice having a sight of goal.

He shot straight at Michael McGovern on one occasion and lashed another effort wide from close range.

The opening goal came when McGovern parried a shot out to Ryan Stevenson, who turned the ball towards goal and Doolan applied the finishing touch before the ball crossed the line.

There was some debate about who the goal should be credited to, but no doubt surrounded the second goal.

Steven Lawless delivered a cross from the left and Doolan expertly controlled the ball before spinning his marker and drilling a shot across McGovern into the far corner.

Doolan had turned provider moments before, chesting the ball down to Lawless, who volleyed wide.

After a bright opening the visitors had looked increasingly flat and Canning's words at half-time did not have the desired effect as Thistle ought to have added to their lead soon after the break.

When Lawless hit the bar from distance, the ball fell straight at the feet of Stevenson, but his effort hit the chest of McGovern.

The move for Doolan's third goal was slick, inventive, and rewarded with a brilliantly improvised finish from the striker's heel.

Hamilton's defenders were reeling, and little more than one minute later, Doolan added a fourth.

This one was more conventional, although no less pleasing for the striker, as he leapt to meet Stevenson's cross and powerfully headed the ball past McGovern.

Even Doolan's replacement was clinical, with substitute Eccleston adding a fifth when the ball broke to him inside the area and he side-footed past McGovern.

It was the final high of a satisfying night for Partick and the last low for Hamilton, who have lost their manager and may now lose full-back Stephen Hendrie, linked with a £2m move to West Ham, as their excellent season suddenly loses momentum.