Partick Th 0
Dundee Utd 1
League (SPL)

Match Report

Craig Easton replaced Russell Latapy in the United line up for this match while Kevin McGowne made his first start for two months, against his former club.

Within two minutes of kick off Derek Lilley fired a shot over the bar from 30 yards and at the other end Derek Fleming forced a save from Alan Combe. A Danny Griffin free kick shortly after caused problems for the Jags forcing Kevin Budinauckas in the Partick goal to gather. Griffin got on the end of a quick one-two moments later before firing over. Alan Archibald was next to shoot over with a chance from the edge of the box. As the first half came to a close, Martin Hardie was next to miss the target, this time for Partick and an effort from Derek Fleming was blocked by Stuart Duff. With minutes remaining, keeper Budinauckas narrowly escape with only a booking after he handled the ball outside the box. In keeping with the half's chances, Jim McIntyre fired a chance from the free kick over the bar. Perhaps the best chance of the game came just before the whistle, as the ball again fell to Griffin, the midfielder volleying goalward from six yards only to see his chance cannon off the woodwork and bounce to safety.

With the second half underway, Gerry Britton fired a shot just over to record the first chance of the period and minutes later, a great effort from Lilley is well enough struck from outside the area but the Thistle keeper gets down low to save. Combe did well to save from Britton soon after as Partick enjoyed a sustained attack. A chance for Charlie Miller from 25 yards forced a save from Budinauckas and the same man again played a part in the eventual opener just before the hour mark. With Budinauckas saving Miller's effort, he was left powerless to stop Jim Paterson who rushes in to the net from close range for his first goal of the season. Partick fought valiantly for an equaliser against a firm United defence. United's resilience appeared to have paid off on 72 minutes when McIntyre finished off an Andy Tod knock-on, however, referee Dougie McDonald ruled it offside. Save for a late chance for Alec Burns, United did enough to hold on and continue their return to winning ways, securing SPL football for another season.