Partick Thistle 1
Dundee 1
League (First Division)

Match Report

Derek Lyle's 55th minute penalty earned Dundee a share of the spoils at Firhill, the striker firing home after Scott Robertson had been downed in the box. That equaliser came as Dundee fought back from a lethargic first half in which the home side took the lead in the 40th minute, Paul Keegan slotting the ball home after being set up by Ryan McStay.

A trend after almost every match this season has been the manager of Dundee's opponents mentioning the physical presence of the Dark Blues, but with Milan Palenik and Gary Mackenzie unavailable and Jan Zemlik left on the bench Dundee didn't have the size of side that fans have got used to watching this season. Derek Lyle and Bob Davidson were the choice of Alex Rae up front after both had impressed in the win over Livingston, while Danny Griffin and loanee from Motherwell Martyn Corrigan filled the central defence spots.

Ian McCall had two league debutants in his starting line up, striker Paul Keegan on loan from Motherwell and midfielder Greg Cameron on a month's loan from Dundee United, it would be a contrast of fortunes for the two new Thistle new boys, with one celebrating a goal and the other leaving the field on a stretcher.

Thistle had the first opportunity of the match when Keegan played in Scott Chaplain, Samson parried his effort but the midfielder picked up the loose ball and crossed for Keegan to direct a header wide of the target.

While there was plenty of effort from both sides the quality of play in the early stages was poor, Danny Griffin's booking for a challenge providing the only moment of note, the home side were just edging it though, and in 33 minutes they again tried their luck as Keegan spun in the box and fired his shot over the bar and into the lively away support.

Two minutes later Partick had to make a replacement as loanee Cameron went down after colliding with Alan Archibald, it looked a nasty one as the youngster lay clutching his back and he left the proceedings on a stretcher.

His replacement was Ryan McStay and he played a big part in the opener four minutes after his arrival, Dundee failed to clear as Thistle pressed and McStay fed the ball to Keegan who slid the ball past Samson to net his first league goal for the Jags.

Dundee had rarely threatened the home goal but a wonderful whipped cross from Swankie as half time approached left the Thistle defence at sixes and sevens and simply begged for a striker to despatch it, but Lyle and Daquin could only get within inches of making contact.

Dundee made a change at half time as the sought a faster tempo to their game, Paul McHale replacing Griffin and the side switching to 3-5-2. The changes quickly made an impact and the game opened right up with a rise in the number of chances at both ends, the Dark Blues had grabbed the initiative and were getting the ball to Gavin Swankie on a regular basis now, his runs were troubling the home defence and in 53 minutes brought tangible reward, his cross to the back post picked out Scott Robertson and with the home defence stretched Mark Twaddle charged into the Dens midfield man and referee Charlie Richmond pointed to the spot.

Derek Lyle had missed, against Dunfermline, with his previous effort from the penalty mark, while home keeper Craig Hinchcliffe had saved a Colin Crambe spot kick in Thistle's match against Stirling just a week ago, but here it was Lyle who would come out on top as the keeper dived to his right Lyle simply smashed his kick home.

Thistle hit back and John Robertson's cross picked out Chaplain but his header was high from five yards out in 58 minutes and ten minutes later Keegan set up Liam Buchanan but the Jags' top scorer was denied by Samson.

In between those two home chances it was Hinchcliffe to the rescue for the Jags, Swankie picking out the inrushing Daquin with a delicious pass but the home keeper was off his line quickly to dive at Daquin's feet and parry the Frenchman's flick, it was a quite superb and brave save.

Dundee made further changes with Jani Sturm replacing Davidson in 62 minutes and boss Alex Rae making a rare appearance as he came on for Kevin McDonald who had been struggling for some time after picking up a leg knock just after the break.

Play still swung from end to end but with Martyn Corrigan in solid form as the only person with any recognised central defensive experience in the Dundee back line Thistle's chances were restricted to high balls pumped into the box, Samson dealing with these excellently.

Dundee had two half chances as time ran down and they pressed for a winner, in the final minute of the ninety a Swankie cross found the head of Daquin but Hinchcliffe dived low to his right to stop the winger's powerful header, and deep into injury time Daquin fired over as the ball fell to him just inside a crowded penalty area.

A point apiece was about right over the ninety minutes, Thistle were definitely the more enterprising side in a first half when Dundee's trend of starting slowly continued, the Dark Blues made radical changes to force the pace of the game after the break though, and deserved their leveller they could perhaps have got more, but a point at Firhill, without either of the first choice central defenders available, was a decent result.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme