IAN McCALL watched on as Partick Thistle swept Cowdenbeath aside in a comfortable 3-0 win at Firhill – marking the first occasion that the Jags have found the net three times in one game this season – but the 56-year-old was left wanting more.

Goals from Shea Gordon, Zak Rudden – his first for the club since joining from Rangers in January of last year – and Connor Murray were enough to see off the Blue Brazil and tee up a third-round clash at Tannadice at the start of April.

“We could have to score more,” the Thistle boss said. “We maybe need to think about being a bit more ruthless than we are – particularly after the chances we missed on Saturday [against Cove Rangers].

“There were a lot of positives and it was a comfortable evening.

“I said before the game that there’s always a shock in the Cup – you look at the big shock tonight [Brora Rangers defeating Hearts] and you’re just pleased it’s not us.

“I also said we’re a different club to Cowdenbeath but ultimately we’re only one division above them. It’s all about getting back to where we think we’re able to go.

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“There were a lot of good individual performances but the players are still finding their feet, really. But I thought the fitness was okay.”

The Jags took a while to get going on their return to competitive action in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Cove but there were no such reservations this time. They set off on the front foot at Firhill, subjecting the visitors to an early barrage.

Left winger Scott Tiffoney – who only arrived on loan from Livingston earlier that day – caused Cowdenbeath problems straight from kick-off and it was no surprise to see the 22-year-old heavily involved as Thistle broke their opponents’ resistance with six minutes on the clock.

Tiffoney danced his way down the left, drawing in Cowdenbeath players as he advanced menacingly into the area. His neat cut-back was left by James Penrice, and the onrushing Gordon arrived just in time to rifle it home with glee.

McCall’s men could smell blood. The away contingent found themselves pinned back and the defence was stretched as the Jags knocked the ball about with confidence. But try as they might, that second goal remained elusive.

Chances arrived on a semi-regular basis but the odd bit of indecision kept causing attacks to break down. Joe Cardle, so impressive against Cove, was guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply while Sena, the young centre-half, had the odd moment where he looked paralysed in possession and didn’t know who to pass to.

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The game became increasingly stretched as Cowdenbeath started to grow into it. Harvey Swann, in particular, was a real handful in attack and was a particularly prickly thorn in Thistle’s side; his neat footwork, impressive close control and powerful runs with the ball made him a dangerous opponent.

Ross MacIver was thrice denied his first goal in red-and-yellow thanks to impressive stops from Nicky Hogarth in the visitors’ goal – two towering headers at the back post were successfully repelled, while a desperate lunge at the ball proved to be just outwith the Motherwell loanee’s reach.

Kieran Wright’s stumble just outside his own area minutes from half-time would have sent pulses racing in the home dugout but the goalkeeper’s error went unpunished as Penrice scrambled it away, picking up a booking for his hasty intervention.

Thistle redoubled their efforts after the restart and didn’t have to wait long until they received their reward. Cardle made the most of some sloppy play at the back from Cowdenbeath, sprinting down the byline and drilling a low delivery across the face of goal where Rudden was waiting to bundle it in from close range.

There was still time for a third though, as substitute Connor Murray – who had only been on the park for a minute or two – spun away from his marker and curled a low shot in at the far post to seal the Jags’ place in the third round.