Partick showed why they are well clear at the top of the Second Division after a convincing 3-0 win at home to second-placed Stranraer.

Martin Hardie put Thistle into the lead 22 minutes in before Derek Rae missed a chance to draw Stranraer level in three minutes later when he skipped the ball over from close in.

After 36 minutes it became two for Partick - this time James Smith nipping in front of Mark McGeown to nod home a Peter Lindau cross.

The home side could have killed the game off after 48 minutes but Danny Lennon drove over from good position.

Stranraer tried to get back into it and a low drive from sub Paul Walker tested goalkeeper Kenny Arthur.

David McCallum and Lindau combined well after 62 minutes but McCallum's shot drove into McGeown's arms and seven minutes later McCallum came close again with a low drive that McGeown got a hand to.

Lennon sealed victory in the 77th minute when he controlled a pass from Hardie on his chest before firing home a left-foot shot.