St Johnstone had the better of a poor first half and indeed nearly scored after just 10 seconds in bizarre circumstances.
Straight from the kick off a high bouncing ball forward had the Partick defence hesitating and Peter MacDonald squeezed himself between the goalkeeper and the defence only to see his lobbed header bounce the wrong side of the post.
The last five minutes of the first half hinted at some of the action to come in the second.
St Johnstone midfielder Paul Sheerin had a 25-yard thunderbolt tipped over in the 40th minute.
Partick followed that with a swift counter attack inspired by young Adam Strachan who set up Andy Dowie who missed the target form 14 yards.
The game exploded into life midway through the second half after a pass from David Hannah meant for Stephen McConalogue found its way to MacDonald who only had the keeper to beat.
The striker gave Kenny Arthur no chance as he slotted the ball home to record Partick's first goal in 2005.
The joy was shot-lived however, as less than a minute later Partick drew level as substitute Leigh Hinds squeezed a left footed shot in off the post from a Juan Ramon through ball.
In the closing 20 minutes Partick midfielder Steve Fulton twice had shots magnificently saved by Craig Samson to deny the visitors all three points.