Partick Thistle V Kilmarnock: Three Things we Learned as Thistle Strike Late to Earn a Well Deserved Point

Ian McCall’s side were left to rue their squandered opportunities as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock in front of a restricted crowd of 500 at Firhill stadium. The Jags extend their unbeaten league run to three games as the Maryhill side look to continue their push for promotion this season.

Oli Shaw fired the visitors ahead from the penalty spot early into the second half, before Ross Docherty netted a spectacular equaliser in the dying stages of the game.

With an encouraging performance over tough opposition, Thistle manager Ian McCall heaped praise on his sides efforts, but was left feeling frustrated as referee Nick Walsh’s dubious penalty decision cost his side two vital points:

Pre-match photo taken by Euan Wood

“I’ve seen it and it’s a shocker, an utter shocker. We did well to come back and get the equaliser, but it’s a game we should’ve won because we were quite clearly the better team for most of the game.

“I thought Docherty and Bannigan were head and shoulders over anybody on the pitch, both were absolutely outstanding. I thought we were terrific for most of the game. I’m very proud of them, they felt in control and the very least we deserved was a point.”

Despite the disappointment of his sides late capitulation, McInnes felt that victory would’ve been an unfair result:

“I thought Thistle were better than us, first half particularly. We had some decent moments, but half time came at a good time for us as they had control of the game.

“Once we got in front, I don’t think we looked like losing a goal, but you would have to say over the course of the 90 minutes; if Thistle hadn’t got something from the game, we would’ve felt like we mugged them because I thought they were good in the first half and showed their quality.

“The players are working hard, and we will get those improvements as we go along. I’d like to think as a Kilmarnock team going forward; if we are in a winning position, we will win the game.  

“It’s a great strike from Docherty, but from my point of view, I’d expect more pressure on the ball and he doesn’t get the time to lift his head. So, there’s things we can improve on.”

It was a lively opening period of the game with the hosts looking to continue their push for promotion to the Premiership this season. The Jags started the brighter of both teams and came close to taking advantage in the opening few minutes.

Chris Burke’s weak delivery was easily picked off by Thistle stopper Jamie Sneddon who quickly released Scott Tiffoney on the counter-attack. The exhilarating winger coasted his way into the box and fired towards goal, but debutant defender Ash Taylor’s late challenge nullified any attacking threat.

Looking to respond to the early pressure, the visitors pushed forward and almost netted the opener minutes later. 

A clever interchange of play between Oli Shaw and Callum Hendry left the forward unmarked at the edge of the box, and Hendry’s intelligent pass left Blair Alston through on goal, but Sneddon reacted quickly to parry the midfielders curling effort out for a corner.

Thistle continued to dominate the majority of the first half and came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Stuart Bannigan’s exceptional cross-field pass was skilfully controlled by holt who drilled his cross to Cammy Smith at the back post, but Brandon Haunstrup’s extraordinary last-ditch tackle deflected the midfielders effort wide of the target.

Despite their dismal first half display, Kilmarnock started the second half with real attacking intent and were gifted a golden opportunity as referee Nick Walsh awarded a penalty for a questionable handball, much to the frustrations of Richard Foster who was incensed by the decision.

The ruling looked harsh, especially because Fosters arm was by his side and Hendry’s cross was fired from close range, giving the experienced defender very little time to react. 

Nevertheless, Walsh made no hesitations and quickly awarded the spot kick. Shaw confidently stepped up and coolly slotted his strike past Sneddon into the bottom left corner.

Partick Thistle players arguing with Nick Walsh about conceding a penalty. Source - Getty Images

Thistle left it late, but with the final few minutes ticking away, Jags captain Docherty netted a spectacular strike from distance. Rangers loanee Lewis Mayo drove towards goal with pace, before picking out Docherty at the edge of the box, who rifled a composed finish into the bottom left corner, leaving Hemming with no chance.

Here are the three things we learned as Kilmarnock let league lead opportunity slip in the dying stages:

Premiership Hopes Alive

Ian McCall will be relieved to have taken at least a point from the contest, but that will not diminish the frustrations of conceding two vital points as his side try to narrow the gap at the summit of the Scottish Championship. Thistle posed a significant threat throughout, creating several goal-scoring opportunities and look firmly amongst the favourites to achieve promotion this season.

Man of the Match, Stuart Bannigan told BBC Sport Scotland post-match:

“It’s a good run for us, but we know we need to keep going. There’s five teams up at the top fighting for it and every game is so important, disappointed to draw that tonight.

“We’ve showed we are in there amongst it and we’re a match for anybody in the league. So, we will wait and see, but we will give our all.”

A Composed Debut

Former Aberdeen defender, Ash Taylor, made his debut for Kilmarnock after reuniting with his former boss Derek McInnes. The experienced 31-year-old, who recently moved from Walsall on an 18-month deal, looked calm and assured throughout and could be an instrumental component in Kilmarnock’s quest for an instant return to the Scottish top-flight.

Delighted with his latest additions debut, McInnes said:

“I’ve worked with Ash previously and he’s done very well for me. Sometimes I think it is a bit of a raw deal, but he has been a very dominant centre half in the Scottish Premiership for years, [and has] played a big part in some good and successful Aberdeen teams.

“So, having looked at the squad, I thought we needed another centre back in there. I think his size is important when defending both boxes. So, I’m delighted to get him, but like everybody else we will improve as we go along.

“I will keep looking for improvements and players who can maybe help the team going forward for the remaining games of the season. I think we are a bit short in some areas and maybe a bit overloaded in others, but I think part of the reason I was brought in January was to try and make those changes.

Penalty confusion

Ian McCall will certainly be feeling aggrieved by Nick Walsh’s questionable penalty decision early into the second half. Hendry’s cross struck Foster’s arm from a few yards out, leaving the defender with very limited time to adjust his position. His arm was by his side and appeared to be in a natural position, understandably infuriating the Thistle technical area.

“I’ve seen it and it’s a shocker, an utter shocker”, said McCall. We did well to come back and get the equaliser, but it is a game we should’ve won because we were quite clearly the better team for most of the game.

“You score late like that, and you want to kick on and get a winner, but you do feel a sense of relief even though it wasn’t a penalty.”