Paterson pounces to put Partick through

A superb Scott Paterson free-kick won Partick Thistle a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup thanks to a 1-0 victory at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in last night's fifth-round replay.

The win earned the Maryhill side a meeting with their fellow Glasgow side Rangers in the last four. It was only fitting that Paterson's strike sealed the triumph – it was he who gave Partick the second chance after his leveller at the first time of asking forced the tie to a replay.

There was little action of note in the opening 25 minutes of the game as both sets of players struggled against the poor playing conditions – the pitch only just passed a late inspection. But Partick had not made the three-hour trip for nothing and they were unlucky not to take the lead after 24 minutes when the Inverness goalkeeper Nicky Walker only just managed to parry Martin Hardie's shot wide.

Danny Lennon's resulting corner was met by Gerry Britton, who flicked the ball on to Scott Paterson. He had a free header but nodded past the upright. However, the big former Liverpool defender found the net after 67 minutes. Following Bobby Mann's foul on Gerry Britton, Paterson stepped up to blast the free-kick into the top corner of the net from 20 yards, leaving Walker helpless.