ALAN Archibald, the man who led Partick Thistle back to the Premiership and the heady heights of the top six, was sacked last night after a poor start to the Championship.

Archibald won promotion with Partick after Jackie McNamara left to take over Dundee United in 2013, and kept them in the top flight for five seasons before Thistle lost out in the play-offs last term.

His squad was decimated in the summer as a result and after five defeats in eight matches – the latest being yesterday’s 2-0 loss to Ross County – the Firhill board have decided to axe him.

New chief executive Gerry Britton and youth coach Scott Allison

have taken over while Partick look for a new manager and will be in charge for Saturday’s match with Dundee United.

New chairman Jacqui Low said: “It is with regret that the board of Partick Thistle Football Club today terminated the contracts of Alan Archibald and Scott Paterson.

“As a club with a proud reputation for supporting and backing its managers, this decision was not taken lightly. But it has been taken in the best interests of the football club and our fans.

“We gave Alan our full support following relegation but were clear from the outset that our sole objective was to secure promotion back to the Premiership.

“However, results have not met our expectations so if we are to still achieve our aim, a change had to happen now.”

Thistle won three home matches but lost all four on he road before yesterday’s 2-0 defeat by County as a result of a goal from Josh Mullin and a Billy Mckay penalty.

It has left them in eighth position and the Firhill board decided they had to act and would not allow the stalwart former player, who was Scotland’s second longest-serving manager, the chance to turn things around.

Remarkably, it is the second time in a week that Ross County have been responsible for the sacking of a manager. Csaba Laszlo was fired by Dundee United after the 5-1 thumping by the Staggies and now Archibald has paid the same price.

Mullin scored in 14 minutes when he raced through and took advantage of a defensive error when his first shot was partially blocked to shoot past Jamie Sneddon.

Then a Mckay penalty in 56 minutes as a result of a Christie Elliott hand ball finished off Thistle and has ultimately cost Archibald his job.