ST JOHNSTONE fans tuning into BBC ALBA's coverage of this match had more cause for celebration than the supporters of Thistle and Dundee who endured a bitterly cold afternoon at windswept Firhill.
Both sides had high hopes of advancing their promotion prospects but a point apiece was the result that best suited the current leaders from Perth.
However, Jocky Scott, the Dundee boss, remains convinced that the title race will go to the final
day of the season.
Scott watched in dismay as Thistle substitute Kevin McKinlay cancelled out Colin McMenamin's opener with a late equaliser when a win appeared Dundee's for the taking.
He said: "I'm disappointed with the result because I thought we created enough chances to win a couple of games.
"I knew one goal was never going to be enough because Thistle are a decent side but unfortunately we couldn't get the second goal we needed.
"St Johnstone will obviously be happiest with this result but it's still in the mix and I keep on saying it will go right down to the wire."
Both sides struggled to cope with a stiff swirling wind but Partick were first to threaten when Paul Paton unleashed a long range shot which forced a diving save from Rab Douglas.
At the other end an angled Mickael Antoine-Curier shot flashed wide before Thistle produced a fine move.
Stephen McKeown and Lucas Akins were involved in creating space for the lively Kris Doolan whose netbound shot had Douglas diving to his left to claw the effort behind.
The home side continued to dominate but Dundee delivered a sucker punch by going ahead in 37 minutes with their first shot on target.
Eddie Malone was the provider with a neat pass to the unmarked McMenamin who calmly rolled the ball through the legs of Jonny Tuffey.
The setback appeared to throw Thistle completely off their stride while the visitors grew in confidence on the restart.
They could have doubled their lead when McMenamin exposed a moment's hesitation to pick out Antoine-Curier but the Gaudeloupe striker was off-balance as he shot wide.
Then Andrew Shinnie's corner picked out Gary MacKenzie whose header flashed inches wide.
Giorgis Efrem was next to threaten with a dipping 20 yard effort that Tuffey could only parry.
Thistle refused to throw in the towel and were rewarded when Simon Storey's cross was headed home by substitute McKinlay.
There was still time for Tuffey to deny Shinnie with a superb save while Doolan fired narrowly over for Partick as the game drew to a close.
Firhill manager Ian McCall said: "I thought it was really gutsy to come back into it.
"Dundee scored with their only attack of the first half but we keep on punching above our weight.
"The international break comes at a good time for us before we play a big, big game against St.Johnstone.
"You just can't call it although they will be favourites."
Partick: Tuffey; Storey, Twaddle, Paton (McKinlay 53), Robertson, Archibald, McKeown, Rowson (Kinniburgh 71), Akins (Chaplain 63), Doolan, Harkins. Subs not used: Maxwell, Hinchcliffe (GK).
Dundee: Douglas; Cowan, Malone, McHale, MacKenzie, Lauchlan (McKeown 80), Shinnie, Paton, McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, Efrem. Subs not used: Williams, O'Brien, Gilhaney, Roy (GK).
Referee: D Somers
Attendance: 3,303.
The full article contains 556 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
