Partick Thistle 1-1 Saints

Last updated : 26 April 2014 By Stuart Gillespie

On the balance of play it was probably a fair result. We were poor for the majority of the first half but equalised just before the break, while the second half was a pretty even affair - both sides hitting the woodwork.

Unsurprisingly, we stuck with the same side that started against Hibs last weekend. We didn't have kick-off so couldn't have scored after 13 seconds but we should have had an early lead, John McGinn sclaffing a shot that Paul Gallacher was easily able to save in the Thistle goal. That looked like being as good as it would get for us as the hosts took control, unsurprisingly going in front when Kris Doolan headed home Kallum Higginbotham's cross.

It looked as if we'd be lucky to get in a goal down at the break but we began to rally in the last five minutes of the half. The pressure paid off when Higginbotham sent Jason Naismith to the deck inside the box and Kenny McLean did the honours from the spot. There's a suggestion it was dubious, but Higginbotham had been going down easily all half so it was a bit of poetic justice.

Chances came for both sides after the break but neither side could find a crucial winner. Josh Magennis teed up McLean only for his shot to hit the post with Gallacher beaten, while the former Saints goalie Gallacher did well to turn Sean Kelly's deflected drive around the post. At the other end sub Lyle Taylor saw his header tipped onto the bar by Chris Dilo, while there were a few scary moments with crosses and passes bouncing around the box.

Not the best result for either side but if Kilmarnock beat Ross County today we'll be four points ahead of the Staggies, meaning a win over them next week would see us safe. Of course, things are never that simple for Saints!

More than 2,000 Saints fans crammed into Firhill for the game, creating a terrific atmosphere, and there was a touching minute's applause in the second half in tribute to Simon Richardson - a Saints fan who was killed after our last trip to Firhill in November.

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