DUNDEE FIGHT BACK TO DEEPEN THISTLE CRISIS

PARTICK’S form blip became a full-blown slump as they threw away a two-goal lead to lose a fourth straight league game.

Top of the table only three weeks ago, Ian McCall’s men sunk to seventh.

Two strikes by Harry Milne, his first since signing from Cove, looked set to stop Thistle’s rot.

But they have now leaked 18 goals in their last five matches and manager McCall was a no-show for media duties.

Assistant Neil Scally appealed for patience from furious fans. He said: ‘I get where they’re coming from but they can see the players we have out injured.

‘Hopefully we can get them back and then we can be judged.’

Milne’s fierce right-foot shot on 21 minutes, via a minor deflection, beat Ian Lawlor.

Milne then arrived at the back post to sidefoot in for 2-0 after Danny Mullen’s knockdown.

Gary Bowyer schemed three interval substitutions, a formation change and an attitude transplant to inspire a comeback.

Paul McMullan’s cross found Zach Robinson bossing keeper David Mitchell at the back post to head in for the visitors.

With Stuart Bannigan off injured, Thistle wilted further. Robinson’s overheard kick caused penalty box pinball and Ryan Sweeney scrambled home.

That sparked a goalmouth melee and the dismissal of Aaron Muirhead for a second booking.

Dundee smelled blood against the 10 men. Max Anderson cut back for Cammy Kerr who rifled in from the edge of the area.

Bowyer reported: ‘There was no ranting at half-time. We spoke about playing for pride and getting the next goal. They did those things — then managed the game well against 10.’