Injury once again interfered with selection plans as Jimmy Gibson, yet to make his debut for the club, was ruled out with a problem.
With Billy Gibson also out, Campbell's options were limited and so he ultimately opted for a formation with Brady playing in front of a back three of Murray, Smyth and Snowden, four in midfield (Nicholas, Fleming, Gillies and Strachan) and McConalogue and McGoldrick up front.
Arthur was in position between the posts as the Jags took the field in temperatures substantially lower than those which they encountered in Buckie.
The playing surface too was much more to The Jags liking with a well trimmed and smooth surface being in some contrast to the longer grass and bumpy pitch on which the first game was played.
Indeed Thistle made a positive start with Nicholas and Strachan providing the main threats down the flanks.
Unfortunately, our hosts proved to be equally effective in these areas and Smyth had to be alert to close down an early chance created when Brown’s cross was dropping perfectly for Vale striker Murray.
For a few seconds there were fears that we were to encounter another major injury problem when a late tackle from behind felled Grant Murray, fortunately the injury proved to be less serious than it at first seemed.
With Thistle now having the bulk of the play it came as no surprise when we took the lead in 16 minutes after good work from Nicholas on the right. He chased a long ball forward, turned inside his man and delivered a fine cross which was matched by a deft finish from John McGoldrick who, with the side of his foot, lifted the ball over the keeper.
The joy was short lived, however, when only seconds later Smyth had to leave the field with a back injury. Though his presence was sadly missed, substitute Haswell put in a fine performance for the remainder of the game.
Thistle appeared to have made it 2-0 in the 25th minute when Fleming’s long cross-field ball found Nicholas whose chip back into the middle was met by McConalogue’s head. The ball went through the keeper’s hands and between his lags and from this reporter’s unbiased vantage point, appeared to have squirmed over the line before being grabbed and hauled back to “safety”.
Thistle continued to take the game to the home side at this stage and Nicholas, Fleming and McGoldrick all came close before Flea had the first of our three efforts which were denied not by the keeper but by the “woodwork”.
With 36 minutes gone, McConalogue and Fleming exchanged passes before Derek’s crashing shot beat the keeper all ends up…..but not the frame of the goal.
Our second encounter with the “woodwork” came midway through the second-half when McConalogue’s header came off the junction of the bar and post but the pick of the bunch was to come late in the game when
In between all of this Deveronvale had somewhat inhospitably managed to equalize and then take the lead.
After 39 minutes our defence was caught square and a through ball left
Two minutes into the second half, a near post header beat substitute keeper Bennet for what proved to be the winner.
Despite Deveronvale coming more into the game Thistle had opportunities to equalise and even win the match, but it was not to be.
Indeed Bennet had two fine saves in the dying minutes but the score-line, ultimately, was unchanged.
The performance was certainly a vast improvement on Tuesday and there were encouraging signs.
Overall, the tour has proved that Bennet with a fine penalty save against Buckie and a sound performance against Deveronvale has emerged as a genuine competitor for Arthur.
Some of the younger players, though not perhaps ready for regular exposure to the rigours of League football, showed up well but – without question – the main plus has been the form of Mark Smyth.
A strong and positive character, dominating in defence and a threat upfront from set-pieces, the Irishman looks set to be a firm favourite amongst Jags fans.