IAN MAKES A GOODPOINT
IAN McCALL reckons Partick put on the best Firhill show of his reign – only to rue the fact it only produced a point.
Thistle blew a chance to leapfrog their rivals and move off the foot of the Championship with a string of missed chances.
Kenny Miller shook the woodwork before Reece Cole connected with the bar via a touch from on-loan Alloa keeper Jamie MacDonald.
Jags boss McCall, in charge two months, said: “I am gutted we didn’t get three points but I am hugely enthused.
“That is the best we have played at Firhill [since I came back].
“We should have been two up before they scored. We hit the bar a couple of times and Jamie had an unbelievable save from Reece so it is hugely encouraging.
“It is about picking up points. That is four points we haven’t been beaten.”
Early on it looked like a case of when Thistle would score rather than if.
A fairly clear handball by Liam Dick, who charged down Craig Slater’s cross, was missed. Still, it seemed there would not be long to wait for an opener as Miller smacked the top of the bar with an effort from distance.
It was a surprise then that Alloa took a 15th-minute lead, Kevin O’Hara’s initial effort deflected over the reach of Jamie Sneddon by the foot of Alan Trouten.
By the time Cole’s corner was touched on by Joe Cardle for ex-Alloa loanee Dario Zanatta to convert 38 minutes in, it was no less than Partick deserved. It could have got better as Zanatta brought out a fingertip save from MacDonald three minutes later.
Robert Thomson sent a shot fizzing by before Cole whipped in a freekick down the other end that was punched on to the bar by MacDonald.
Wasps boss Peter Grant said: “We had to dig in in the second half. We were under the cosh but Jamie only had one save to make.
“I didn’t want to say before the game but I had three guys playing who 10 hours earlier were never making it because of injuries. But they dug in and showed great commitment.”