It was a tough and close battle at Firhill

Forward Scott McLean was out injured and defender James McKinstrey dropped to the bench after Saturday's home defeat by Hibernian.

Dundee boss Jim Duffy made sweeping changes to his side, with defender Zura Khizanishvili and midfielder Mark Robertson being given their first starts of the season.

Forward Juan Sara, Garry Brady and teenage fellow midfielder Steve Robb also made the starting line-up.

Nacho Novo and Barry Smith dropped to the bench, Fabian Caballero failed to recover from a thigh strain, while Gavin Rae and Georgi Nemsadze were not included in the 16-man squad.

Duffy also experimented with a 4-4-2 formation for the first time this season.

But it was Partick who enjoyed the best of the chances in the opening spell of the game.

Martin Hardie came closest, meeting Jamie Buchan's cross from the right flank but nodded just wide of the post then forcing Dens goalkeeper Julian Speroni into a save with a low drive.

It was 20 minutes before Dundee had their first effort at

goal, Khizanishvili unleashed a shot that Thistle goalkeeper Kenny Arthur managed to touch just past the upright.

The Dark Blues had another chance three minutes later, when Steven Milne's cross picked out Brady, but he sent his header wide.

Dundee almost fell behind when a Hardie cross took a deflection off Dave Mackay and Speroni was forced to act quickly to stop the ball hitting the back of the net.

Partick boss John Lambie (right) was delighted

Chiarini then headed wide from an Alex Burns cross.

It was Arthur to the rescue again at the other end, tipping Juan Sara's header over the bar.

Partick came close to taking the lead 12 minutes after the break.

Lilley produced a fine volley, after meeting Alan Archibald's corner, and the ball looked destined to hit the back of the net.

But Brady somehow managed to hook the ball clear off the line.

They finally made the breakthrough, from another Archibald cross, Hardie driving the ball home from six yards.

Partick: Arthur, Chiarini, Archibald, Craigan, Paterson, Whyte, Mitchell, Buchan (Britton 80), Burns, Hardie, Lilley. Subs Not Used: Budinauckas, McKinstry, Milne, Waddell.

Booked: Arthur.

Goal: Hardie 83.

Dundee: Speroni, MacKay, Khizanishvili (Smith 59), Hutchinson, Wilkie, Hernandez Santos, Milne, Brady, Robb (Novo 66), Sara, Robertson (Lovell 84). Subs Not Used: Langfield, Mair.

Attendance: 2,652

Referee: Stuart Dougal.