The Jags took on The Arabs looking to build on Wednesday's goalless draw with Aberdeen on Wednesday. Danielle Chiarini replaced Adrian Madaschi in the centre of defence and Jamie Langfield retained his place in goals.
It was Thistle who started off the brighter of the two sides pressing United into their own half and having numerous chances. Thistle had the ball in the net early on, Gerry Britton, backwards overhead not knowing what he was really doing, volley hit off the junction of the bar and post and fell to the feet of Jamie Mitchell who slotted it past Gallagher. However to the dismay of the Thistle fans the linesman had flagged for offside against Mitchell and the goal was disallowed. This was to be a crucial decision and later TV highlights showed that Mitchell was actually onside when the ball was played.
Stephane Bonnes was next to come close, 3 shots two saved by Gallagher and the Frenchman’s third attempt was hit pretty poorly and cleared with ease off the line.
Dundee Utd never really got going and it was Thistle who were playing nice football and making good opportunities, unfortunately couldn’t convert any of them so the teams went in at the interval goal-less.
After the break Thistle again started the better of the two teams, a clever cut back by Gerry Britton to Billy Gibson on the edge of the box and the on-loan midfielder let rip with a blistering effort that curled and smacked off the bar.
Two minutes later the bar came to Dundee United’s rescue again, a Stephane Bonnes header this time hitting off the woodwork.
United had a great chance to break the deadlock, a pass-back picked up by Langfield resulted in a free kick for the visitors a couple of yards from goal. Former Jags favourite Alan Archibald blasted the ball towards the Thistle goal, full of Jags player from post to post, but the shot was blocked by one of them and went out for a corner.
65 minutes into the game and the deadlock was broken by Thistle. David Rowson received the ball in the midfield and ran to the edge of the box taking on 2 of the United defenders before placing his shot into Gallagher’s bottom left corner.
Unfortunately the lead wasn’t to last. A free kick to Dundee Utd on the edge of the Thistle box after a Chiarini foul. Barry Robson stepped up and a stunning curling shot into Langfield’s top left corner, left the keeper with no chance.
Derek Fleming came on as a sub and nearly scored straight away with a free kick, the midfielder’s shot hit the post, making the total times off the woodwork 4.
The last real chance came when David Rowson hit a low drive from far out but it whizzed past Gallagher’s post this time.
A positive performance from Thistle who really should of taken all three points.