As the game entered the closing minutes it looked like a no scoring draw would send both sets of fans home reckoning that a point apiece was a fair outcome. But luck was with Thistle when Lawless saw his shot deflected
Johnson on the beach
The manager stuck with the same eleven that were robbed of a win in Dundee with new signing Gomis on the bench. Thistle, in pale blue, got the game underway on a pitch that was emminently playable thanks to the liberal use of sand in several large areas.
The first half was a dire affair. The highlights were the liberal use of the yellow card by referee Cook. Four Thistle players and our own Pearson were in the book well before the fans rushed for their half-time refreshments.
The game was littered with defensive clearances and loose passes. Johnson make good use of his pace once or twice but to little benefit. The main action came after 40 minutes when we had a spell off pressure on Cerny's goal. We made a few penalty claims but the whistler waved play on and on one occasion the decision almost cost us as Thistle broke with pace. Pearson who had an error strewn first 45 minutes, took a booking for the team.
We made a bright start to the second period and when Pearson latched on to a loose ball ten yards from the goal it looked like we would open the scoring but his effort was deflected wide. Normal service was resumed and the ball pinged from one end to the other . Central defenders headed clear and a midfield scramble ensued. It was not pretty.
Hall and Moult came off after an hour to be replaced by Kennedy and Gomis. Our new man worked hard and had a few good touches but this was a game that favoured defenders.
The only goal of the game arrived due to the deflection off Kennedy and we were left to rue our late lack of luck for the second time in four days.
Maybe we'll get a break in Saturday's cup tie!
Partick Thistle 1 Motherwell 0
Attendance 2,487
Team: Ripley, Hammell, McManus, Hall (Kennedy 62), Johnson, Law, Cadden (Ainsworth 86), lasley, pearson, McDonald, moult (Gomis 62)