An early goal from James Dayton has given St Mirren a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership this evening.

The visitors needed just six minutes to break the deadlock as Dayton gathered a loose ball on the edge of the box to mark his home debut with a goal, rifling the ball past Paul Gallacher.

Ryan Stevenson tried to give the hosts some hope down the other end, curling the ball in towards Stuart Bannigan, but the midfielder's header lacked power.

Bannigan tried to make amends with a powerful volley later in the first half, but the thunderous strike was blocked before it could test the keeper.

Partick continued to push for an equaliser, but Stevenson could not reach a Callum Booth cross for a simple tap-in, while Mark Ridgers reacted quickly to stop a Stephen O'Donnell strike just before the break.

The hosts were on the attack again early in the second half as Booth tried to set up Steven Lawless, but his weak finish was comfortably saved by Ridgers.

The home side wanted a spot kick when Booth tangled with Jim Goodwin, but the referee was not interested in the Partick supporters' appeals.

The hosts continued to push for a point in the final minutes of the match, but Frederic Frans was denied by Ridgers as he tried to turn in a Stevenson cross.

The result moves St Mirren up to 10th in the table, while Partick stay ninth.