RAITH ROVERS 0
PARTICK TH 0
Partick Thistle all but secured their place in the play-offs but were inches away from taking all three points following an inspired late change by manager Kris Doolan.
And the stalemate left Raith six points behind leaders Dundee United as their own focus surely switches to the play-offs.
As Thistle were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the-penalty area deep into stoppage time, Doolan threw on Blair Alston, who stepped up to send his curling 20-yard effort crashing off Kevin Dabrowski’s crossbar.
“It would have been a worldie” said Doolan afterwards. “I put Blair on to take the free-kick. It would have been a fairytale if it had gone in.
“I felt we could have come away with more than one point but that’s three clean sheets in four games and its a good time of the season to hit form, especially with the play-offs coming up.“
With both sides having difficulty coping with the blustery conditions, the game took a while to settle, although Thistle did manufacture a chance in the eighth minute when Brian Graham miscued from close range following a cross from Aidan Fitzpatrick.
The best opportunity of the opening period, came at the other end shortly afterwards when a cross from Raith midfielder Josh Mullin was met by Zak Rudden whose powerful header was saved superbly by Jags’ David Mitchell.
Mullins continued to torment the Partick defence with his probing runs down the right and yet another of his crosses fell to Sam Stanton, who failed to capitalise from a promising position.
The visitors almost edged in front as the interval approached, Fitzpatrick’s dipping effort deflecting off the head of Rovers defender Euan Murray before hitting the bar.
Thistle retained their momentum after the
restart, Graham sending his shot narrowly wide before Dabrowski saved from Zander Mackenzie
Both sides carved out chances in the closing stages, Stanton and Dylan Easton coming close for Raith before the crossbar denied Alston a late winner.
“It was a tough game” acknowledged Raith boss Ian Murray. “The conditions made it hard and I didn’t think there was much between the teams.
“I’m delighted we’ve achieved second place for the first time in 17 years and we can now look to the play-offs.”