dundee united 1
partick thistle 1
Their promotion rivals stumbled.
But Dundee United couldn’t take advantage as they were held at home by Partick Thistle. With Ross County and Ayr both losing, a win would have moved the Tangerines to within four points of the Championship’s summit.
Instead, they had to make do with a draw, thanks to a dismal first-half showing.
This was a contest that started with Thistle firmly in control.
Gary Caldwell’s side almost snatched an early lead when Miles Storey darted behind the United defence and fired an effort at Benjamin Siegrist’s far post.
It was well-placed, but the Tangerines keeper denied Storey with a firm hand.
Four minutes later Thistle gave United another warning when Kris Doolan met James Penrice’s corner with his head. Siegrist grasped the effort.
But two minutes later, when Craig Slater swung in a corner from the other side, Doolan planted a free header solidly into the net. United had been utterly passive. In fact, rotten.
Yet instead of treating Thistle’s opener as a wake-up call, they fell deeper into their slumber.
The Jags took advantage, with Doolan, Storey and Spittal all seeing goal-bound efforts saved by Siegrist.
It was miserable stuff for the home punters, who made their displeasure clear by booing their side off at half-time.
Robbie Nielson threw new signing Aidan Nesbitt on at the break for the quiet Fraser Aird.
He didn’t take long to make an impact.
Just after the hour, Nesbit took the ball into Thistle’s box.
With Sean Mcginty touch-tight behind him, Nesbitt made to jink, then hit the deck. Ref Bobby Madden pointed to the penalty spot and Fraser Fyvie slammed home.
United, with Nesbitt increasingly lively, found their rhythm.
The Tangerines had the ball in the net on 74 minutes when Pavol Safranko nodded home.
Instead, the ref awarded the Jags a free-kick.
Paul Mcmullan and Nesbitt (twice) both had opportunities to seal the points for United in the dying minutes.
But Thistle held firm for a draw that couldn’t prevent them from hitting the bottom of the league.