The Thistle Archive

Media report

23-Dec-2003, bbc.com

THISTLE HOLD DUNDEE UNITED. Partick Thistle's new management got off to a successful start on Tuesday with a hard-fought but goalless draw against Dundee United. The new pairing of Gerry Britton and Derek Whyte had been put in charge of Partick just hours before kick-off. And the injured player-manager duo saw them eke out a point in what proved a drab contest. Despite that, however, the result leaves Partick languishing at the bottom of the Scottish Premier League.

The game itself was hardly the Christmas present the fans would have hoped with a first half littered by errors. The first real chance came the way of United after Thistle defender Grant Murray fluffed his back-pass to Kenny Arthur, who kicked it away to scupper an in-coming Billy Dodds. Shots on target in the first half were limited to United's Alan Archibald, but his 20-yard strike was cleared by Arthur. But Partick turned the tide in the dying minutes of the half and looked the stronger of the two sides. The introduction of Colin Samuel and Jim Paterson sparked United into life after the re-start, Dodds forcing a fine Arthur save in the 46th minute as well as tipping away a Paterson power strike just moments later. For all United's possession, their rivals almost took the lead against the run of play on the hour mark. Jamie Mitchell chipped intelligently from the right wing but his shot was edged clear by the head of defender David Lilley. Mitchell's effort seemed to swing the balance, with Thistle boasting the remaining chances of the final half hour. Thistle's Andy Ross was among those going for goal in the latter stages, but his 65th-minute effort was easily gathered by Paul Gallacher. Gallacher was made to work harder to halt the effort of striker Andy Thomson moments later for arguably the best chance of the night. And Stephane Bonnes came within a whisker of stealing an 86th minute winner but his shot soared over the crossbar.

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