LATE CALL SPARES THISTLE’S BLUSHES

A CONTROVERSIAL offside decision saved Gary Caldwell more anguish last night as Partick Thistle escaped from Arbroath with a point. The Jags boss is still seeking his first Championship win of the season but it could have been worse after Luke Donnelly’s late effort was ruled out for the home side. Veteran striker Kenny Miller had earlier levelled for Thistle after Jason Thomson opened the scoring for Arbroath. Only a superb display from Thistle keeper Scott Fox prevented the hosts from taking an unassailable lead before the interval. Fox was called into action after three minutes as his fingertip save prevented Tam O’Brien from netting with a spectacular 35-yard strike. David Gold then headed a Bobby Linn cross wide before the latter cracked a 25-yard free-kick off the post. Arbroath went ahead on 14 minutes as Linn’s cross found Thomson unmarked at the back post for him to head home. Linn came close twice with long-range efforts, with Fox hanging on to one effort and another skidding wide. Partick battled back in the second period, with Dario Zanatta driving wide and being denied a penalty after he felt he was fouled by O’Brien. Miller levelled for the Jags from close range on 65 minutes. Then came the moment of controversy as Arbroath were denied a late winner by the assistant referee’s flag, with Donnelly adjudged to be offside as he put a Mark Whatley pass into the net. ‘I’ve seen the strike back and it was never offside in a million years,’ said Arbroath manager Dick Campbell. Caldwell stated: ‘The linesman put his flag up — that’s all I have to say.’