PARTICK THISTLE 1
Spittal (61)
FALKIRK 1
Rudden (76)
Gary Caldwell fanned the flames of the furore surrounding Scottish referees by branding them as arrogant.
The Partick Thistle boss was furious with whistler Andrew Dallas for sending off recent signing Gary Harkins.
His side conceded a goal just two minutes after the midfielder picked up a second yellow card.
Caldwell said: “We got a brilliant goal and should have gone on to win the game, but for another crazy decision.
“I think every week there are bad decisions in every game we play in.
“I’m not saying they can be perfect, but the way they go about it after, the arrogance they show, isn’t great.
“It needs to improve. We need to make it better because this is people’s lives at stake in these games.”
Thistle were certainly shaken by the decision to give Harkins an early bath. But their lack of a cutting edge meant they only had a 1-0 lead after dominating possession.
That’s been the story of so many matches for the Jags and why they find themselves bottom.
Falkirk were unabashed about setting out to frustrate the home side and then looking to sneak something on the break.
Caldwell’s men had the upper hand from the off, but the Bairns were the team that created the best chance of a tousy first half.
Zak Rudden burst through on goal, but his shot was comfortably saved by Hazard.
Thistle took the lead when Spittal was given time in the box to control a Penrice cross and calmly slide the ball into the net.
That gave the Maryhill faithful something to sing about.
Their good cheer didn’t last long.
Firstly, they saw Harkins heading for an
early bath after being given a harsh second booking for a foul on Maclean.
Their anger was still in full flow when Rudden, who got the winner at Somerset Park last Saturday, bundled home an equaliser.
He was quickest to react after a header had been saved by goalie Conor Hazard.
The 18-year-old reported for training with Rangers yesterday morning before getting the go-ahead for another loan spell with Falkirk.
He said: “I’m really happy I got the call. I’m enjoying every minute.”