Match Report
Thistle made two changes to the team that defeated Airdrie United 2-0 the previous Saturday. John Robertson, now fully recovered from the effects of a virus, returned to the heart of the Thistle defence with Willie Kinniburgh dropping to the bench. Elsewhere Mark Corcoran was preferred to Chris Erskine.
There was a briskness about Thistle's play in the opening couple of minutes but they fell behind as early as the 4th minute in what was Dundee's first foray anywhere near the Thistle goal. There didn't appear to be too much danger either when a ball was knocked into the Thistle box but when it wasn't cleared Leigh Griffiths was able to seize his opportunity and sho0t low past Tuffey.
It didn't appear to dishearten Thistle though. Liam Buchanan was able to get his head to a free kick from the right although it went harmlessly over the bar in Thistle's first venture forward after the loss of the goal. Mark Corcoran was a bit closer after being set up by Simon Donnelly but his shot went the wrong side of the post.
This was shaping up as a really open game and Dundee were close to a second goal in the 13th minute. A neat pass from Sean Higgins picked out the dangerous Griffiths who was only just too high with his shot from an angle.
Griffiths again underlined his talent in the 17th minute with a low shot that tested Jonny Tuffey at his near post.
As much as Dundee was a threat, so too were Thistle. Bryan Hodge sent a 20 yard shot wide of Bullock's right hand post in the 18th minute and a minute later Thistle were close to an equalising goal. Alan Archibald pushed forward down the left before crossing for Liam Buchanan who saw his shot blocked by a Dundee defender. Still the danger wasn't over with the re bound striking Bryan Hodge and only just clearing the crossbar.
This was by far Thistle's best spell and the pressure continued to mount. Simon Donnelly won the ball some 25 yards from goal before seeing his shot saved by Bullock. A corner fell to the same player a few minutes later but on this occasion Donnelly snatched at his shot from the edge of the box.
In the 31st minute Thistle were again a whisker away from levelling the scores. Mark Corcoran took advantage of some hesitation in the home defence before squaring the ball back to Liam Buchanan. With the goal open a Thistle goal looked likely but a Dundee defender was swiftly across denying Buchanan the opportunity to shoot.
Five minutes later and Thistle could again count themselves a little unfortunate not to be back on level terms. Simon Donnelly was producing some excellent touches and flicks and it was his pass the picked out Liam Buchanan. Once more though a Dundee player was very quickly in close attention and his shot took the pace of Buchanan's shot allowing Bullock to save.
A second Dundee goal would have been unbelievably harsh on Thistle but Dundee were close to scoring it in the 41st minute. A sharp break left Thistle exposed and Higgins squared the ball in the direction of Griffiths who was waiting to apply a finish. Ian Maxwell, however, was able to get just enough of a touch on the ball to clear the danger.
Thistle going in at half-time still trailing was already looking like being hard justice on Thistle but twice inside the closing minute of the half any sense of injustice was heightened. Firstly Liam Buchanan looked to be denied a clear penalty when after beating Gary MacKenzie to a long ball he appeared to be bundled to the ground.
With passions still inflamed over the decision not to give Thistle a penalty the hugely impressive Simon Donnelly rattled a shot off the underside of the Dundee crossbar.
Thistle suffered a major blow just two minutes into the second half when Dundee were able to extend their lead. Again it was a goal almost out of the blue. Gary Harkins got a glimpse of goal at the edge of the Thistle box and he was able to squeeze the ball past Tuffey.
Dundee's second goal certainly took some of the sting from the game and Dundee were able to enjoy their first period of sustained ascendancy. Ian Maxwell did well to block a Griffiths shot before a through ball from Harkins found the Dundee striker with Tuffey just managing to whip the ball away from his toes.
Thistle were in desperate need of a way back into this game and Liam Buchanan nearly provided it. He was able to connect with an Alan Archibald cross but his header went over the bar.
In the 62nd minute Thistle once more were cursing their luck in front of goal. David Rowson was able to evade a couple of challenges on the Dundee touchline and his cut back was met by Chris Erskine who saw his net bound shot tipped over the bar by Bullock.
The sense that Thistle were simply not going to score was growing the longer the game went on and in the 72nd minute it was David Rowson's turn to look frustrated when Bullock turned his shot round the post for a corner.
If further evidence was required that this wasn't going to be Thistle's day it was provided in the 82nd minute. Liam Buchanan crossed for Simon Donnelly and Donnelly's header looked destined for the back of the net only for Bullock to throw himself at the ball and complete a save.
