Match Report
A week in which Thistle were at the centre of almost unprecedented media attention was rounded off with a visit of the league leaders St Johnstone. With Thistle aiming to move to within three points of St Johnstone manager Ian McCall made three changes to the side that had lost at Inverness in the Scottish Cup. Willie Kinniburgh came in for the injured John Robertson, Scott Chaplain replaced Stephen McKeown and Kris Doolan was given his home debut with Liam Buchanan, as the manager had hinted to www.ptfc.co.uk during the week, rested.
The game's first shot came in the 7th minute when Liam Craig powerfully hit shot from fully 25 yards looked to be well covered by Jonny Tuffey as it went wide of the keeper's left hand post.
There was no question though that Tuffey kept Thistle level less than a minute later when he did well to tip over Paul Sheerin's chipped effort from the edge of the box.
St Johnstone had done by far and way the majority of the early running but a neat interchange between Kris Doolan and Gary Harkins offered hope but Harkins' run was eventually halted with Thistle not even winning their first corner for his efforts.
Simon Donnelly was at the heart of Thistle's better moves and in the 23rd minute his neat pass nearly set up Kris Doolan, himself looking lively up front.
In the 24th minute Thistle's best move of the game thus far involving Gary Harkins, David Rowson, Simon Donnelly and Paul Paton ended with the latter's cross cleared from the St Johnstone six yard box.
A one two involving Simon Donnelly and Scott Chaplain very nearly opened up the St Johnstone defence as Thistle continued to battle against both St Johnstone and the worst of the elements but the danger was quickly snuffed out.
In the 37th minute Thistle really should have taken a lead that they perhaps wouldn't have merited at that point. The ball dropped to Simon Donnelly some 12 yards out but the Thistle player rather snatched at his shot with the result that ball went high over the St Johnstone bar.
If St Johnstone had started the first half the better then Thistle certainly made the better of the starts to the second 45 minutes. Some tremendous skill from Gary Harkins wide on the right looked set to present a golden opportunity to one of two Thistle players lurking six yards from goal only for the St Johnstone defence to make a frantic clearance.
In the 53rd minute Thistle again threatened the St Johnstone goal and again Harkins was at the heart of things. His shot from 20 yards looked to be heading for goal only to take a deflection.
Seconds after that corner had been cleared Simon Donnelly was able to latch onto a loose ball inside the St Johnstone box but his momentum took him away from goal and when he squared the ball back towards goal he was unable to pick out a Thistle player.
In the 63rd minute Thistle made their first change of the afternoon with Stephen McKeown coming on in place of Scott Chaplain.
St Johnstone were nowhere near as much a threat inn the second half but there was anxiety all the same when Paul Sheerin was able to steal onto the end of a corner kick but his shot had no power on it and Jonny Tuffey was able to make a comfortable save.
Kris Doolan had been tireless with his efforts all afternoon and in the 70th minute nearly got his reward for that. Left unmarked at the back post at a corner he could only find the side net with his header from Paul Paton's corner.
Doolan's home debut lasted just a further two minutes as he was replaced to warm reception by Kevin McKinlay.
Thistle were within inches of taking the lead with 13 minutes remaining. Catching St Johnstone on the counter attach and outnumbered Kevin McKinlay set up Simon Donnelly. Donnelly took a few seconds to steady himself and as a result Liam Craig was able to get back and head Donnelly's shot off the line. &nbs p;
With 8 minutes left Thistle made use of their third substitute with Mark Roberts coming on for Simon Donnelly.
In injury time Thistle had one last chance to win the game. Mark Roberts' shot looked to have been touched round the post for a corner by Alan Main but referee Allan awarded a goal kick and seconds later blew his whistle for full-time.
