BBC SPORT | Football | Scot Prem | Thistle and United draw blank

Partick Thistle 0-0 Dundee United

Premier League newcomers Partick Thistle fought out an opening day goalless draw against Dundee United at Firhill.

The home side had the best of the game in terms of possession and pressure but could not find a way past a resolute United defence which was well marshalled by debutant Kevin McGowne.

In the opening stages both sides were lively and the game swung from end to end.

First to threaten was United's Danny Griffin whose seventh minute free-kick from the left drew a good save from goalkeeper Kevin Budinauckas.

At the other end, a driven ball from the right into the United box from Jamie Mitchell caused some problems for the visitors but United debutant Kevin McGowne cleared his lines.

In the 15th minute Thistle striker Scott McLean cleverly knocked the ball back to Martin Hardie.

The midfielder's shot from six yards out seemed like a certain goal.

United's Steven Thompson (left) outjumps Thistle's Stephen Craigen
Thompson (left) struggled as United's lone striker
But United goalkeeper Paul Gallacher reacted quickly to make an impressive block, and the ball was eventually cleared.

This sparked off a brief spell of Jags pressure.

But the United rearguard, with McGowne settling in well, held firm.

However, despite the entertainment value, clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Thistle were beginning to dominate proceedings while the visitors were rarely in attacking mode and relied on the occasional counter-attack.

In the 32nd minute, out of the blue, a snapshot by United's Griffin from 30 yards had Thistle keeper Kevin Budinauckas diving smartly down to his right hand post to smother.

A minute after the re-start, Charlie Miller watched as his weak effort went harmlessly past Thistle's post.

But the home side still looked the hungrier side and soon had the visitors on the back foot again.

However, United should have taken the lead in the 50th minute when a Griffin pass sent Tassos Venetis clear through on goal but the midfielder hesitated before shooting straight at Budinauckas from 10 yards out.

Thistle's Scott McLean (left) beats United's Craig Easton to the ball
Both teams fought to control the midfield
Thistle shrugged of this defensive lapse and went back up the pitch looking for the opener but they lacked the necessary guile and invention.

Thistle defender Alan Archibald had an effort from 25 yards skew wide after 62 minutes.

Minutes later, Alex Burns' angled shot from just inside the box was easily saved by Gallacher.

The visitors looked dangerous enough on the break but seemed happy with the point.

In the closing stages, the pace of the game dropped and Lauchlan and McGowne continued to bar the door to the home side's attacks.

Partick: Budinauckas, McKinstry, Archibald, Whyte, Paterson, Craigan, Mitchell (Lennon 89), Buchan, Burns, Hardie, McLean (Walker 44).

Subs Not Used: Arthur, Gibson, Waddell.

Booked: Hardie.

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie, Duff, Lauchlan, McGowne, Easton, Miller (Lilley 90), Griffin, Venetis (Gunnlaugsson 57), McIntyre (Paterson 82), Thompson.

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, McCraken.

Booked: Lauchlan, Miller.

Att: 6,375

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).


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