Raith Rovers 0 Partick Thistle 0

Last updated : 27 November 2004 By Footymad Previewer

On the 10th anniversary of Raith Rovers' magnificent League Cup final victory over Celtic, the Kirkcaldy side found themselves playing in less glamorous circumstances as they entertained struggling Partick Thistle in what amounted to an early season relegation battle.

The end result, a goalless draw, reflected the difficult times both sides have fallen on of late.

And when referee Mike Ritchie finally blew his whistle to bring matters to a humane end, there was obvious relief from either set of supporters that their respective ordeals were over.

For Raith, there was an element of celebration in that the draw constituted the first occasion this season that they had put together a run of two games without defeat.

For Thistle, the solitary point brought to a welcome end a four-game losing sequence which had placed intolerable pressure on the managerial duo of Derek Whyte and Gerry Britton.

The Jags should have taken the lead after only two minutes when Andy Wilkinson surged forward to find himself with only keeper David Berthelot to beat but the defender sent his effort high over the crossbar.

Paquito then scorned a similar chance at the other end, shooting into the stands after an intelligent cut back from Hamed Sacko.

Derek Fleming cleared off the line for Thistle just before half time as Raith pushed for the opener and, although both sides created chances to win the game as the second half progressed, it was clear that the game was destined to finish goalless.