A turn for the worse
WITH FOOTBALL IN COLD STORAGE WE TAKE A LOOK AT OLD ST
And it means Saints are still without a home win in the league this season with just one point from their seven home matches.
There was just one change to the St Mirren starting 11, with James Marwood returning to action as Jim Goodwin sat out the first of a fourmatch suspension.
Early on, Thomas Reilly stole possession and unleashed a shot from distance that flew wide of target, while Thistle skipper Sean Welsh saw his shot from the edge of the box easily taken by Marian Kello.
Right-back Jason Naismith found himself crowded out in the penalty box before he could pull the trigger after he tried to pick up a Kenny McLean pass.
After 13 minutes, Marwood sent a lovely angled effort just wide of the far post after he darted onto Adam Drury’s slide rule pass, before McLean hoofed a left-foot effort high and wide after neat build-up between Callum Ball and Gary Teale.
Saints won a free- kick in a great position 22 yards out on the angle of the penalty box after Marwood went to ground under a Fredric Frans challenge but McLean’s curling effort was taken by Scott Fox in goal.
Centre back Frans saw a side-footed effort hoofed away at the near post as the visitors threatened, while Marwood and Teale combined at the other end to set Naismith free but the young right back’s shot from 20 yards flew well off target.
In the second 45, Ryan Stevenson and Steven Lawless came close, the former just failing to connect with a cross to the near post and the latter flicking an effort into the grateful arms of Kello.
Thistle substitute Gary Fraser then sent a tame effort into the arms of Kello from the edge of the box as the Jags clearly posted their intentions.
Striker Ross Caldwell replaced Ball with 35 minutes of the match remaining, before Marc McAusland was yellow carded for a foul on Elliott 20 yards out in front of goal.
Stevenson struck his effort off the Saints wall and went in for the rebound too aggressively, earning the former
Hearts midfielder a booking too.
There was an appearance for Saints’ Academy graduate Lewis Morgan as he replaced Marwood after 65 minutes.
Thistle definitely had the bit between their teeth as they ventured forward on a more regular basis and Frans saw an awkward header from a corner on the right taken by Kello.
After 75 minutes, Declan McDaid was the hero for Thistle, seconds after replacing Lawless, as he was allowed
the time and space from the byline to cut the ball back for an unmarked Elliott who shaped up 12 yards out and struck it low and past Kello and into the net.
McAusland then headed a Teale corner harmlessly over the bar as Saints attempted to retrieve something from the match.
In time added on, Drury created Saints’ best scoring chance but his angled rightfoot shot agonisingly cannoned off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.