Simon Lappin and big Mixu returned to the starting lineup, replacing Ricky Gillies and Laurie Ellis.
Thistle started the brighter of the two sides, firing in a few shots from range which rarely troubled Craig Hinchcliffe in the Saints goal. However, once again our inability to defend set pieces was to haunt us. Kevin McGowne chopped down a Thistle player on the left, Derek Fleming flighted in a free kick and Juan Ramon Escalas headed home. It really was that easy. Feckity feckity feckity feck. Ah well, at least that wouldn't provide a problem to my no shouting rule. By this point I wasn't shouting, more muttering to myself and making weird hand movements pointing where the ball should go. Hmmm.
Saints had a few chances in the first half, the best coming from a corner when Kirk Broadfoot headed the ball against the bar and Mixu missed the follow up. Partick could have been 2-0 up at half time when Manny Panther had a fantastic cross come shot which Hinchy tipped away.
Half time saw some filming for a new Irn Bru advert, with a "policeman" on the pitch. I'd spent all morning in the crowd for this advert, and will be doing it again tomorrow. I'll have a report on Monday.
Saints started the second half the better of the two sides and were quickly on level terms. Shuggy Murray crossed from the right, Mixu got the flick on and John O'Neill finished powerfully. He looked several miles offside, but incredibly the goal stood. Meanwhile, up in the press box, I'd got as far as throwing my hands in the air before realising where I was. I did manage to remain on my seat, and resorted to tapping my pen off anything and everything to try and calm my nerves.
The referee's incoompetence continued. O'Neill had earlier escaped a booking for his customary dive, andManny Panther was lucky not to be sent off for pushing Millen. Somehow he escaped a booking! Shuggy Murray and Kevin McGowne had both been booked, but were their tackles really much worse than anything else? I seriously doubt it.
The referee did get one decision right though. Laurie Ellis, who replaced Simon Lappin, took down Billy Gibson in the box. Penalty. Derek Fleming was the taker. Last time he played at Love Street, he managed the quite impressive feat of scoring and breaking his leg at the same time. Clearly he didn't want to take the risk of that happening again, so he slotted the ball wide with no conviction. More pen tapping in the press box.
Three minutes later Thistle would regret that miss. Shuggy Murray put in another great cross from the right, and big Mixu easily headed past Kenny Arthur. Another throw of arms in the air before worrying pen tapping and music humming were resumed. This was getting worrying.
Stevie "Pumpkin Face" Fulton came close to an equaliser straight after with a wonderful shot which Hinchy tipped away. Despite Thistle throwing everything at us, they always looked dodgy on the break and Kirk Broadfoot made a great run forward which ended when he tripped over his own feet.
It looked like Saints had managed to hold on, but we were treated to some last minute controversy. Some Thistle guy crossed the ball from the left, it flicked off a Saints players head and Armand One headed past Hinchy for the equaliser. However, as soon as the initial cross had gone in, the linesman's flag had gone up for offside. Due to the contact with the Saints players head, he discussed with the linesman and eventually decided the goal didn't count. However, this was not before the incompetent ref made a hand signal which suggested the goal would stand!
The facts are, when the cross was made One was offside. The redirection of the ball wasn't intentional, so it doesn't count. End of Story, and after much pen tapping in the press box it was the last meaningful action of the game.
So, another home win. Clyde lost, so we're top for the first time since 1999/2000, and we all know what happened then. It was a great second half performance, in particular O'Neill, Brian McGinty, Shuggy Murray and big Mixu did well, along with the unsung hero Mark Reilly. Thistle looked alright, but nothing great. Up in the pressbox, it's not good for you not being able to celebrate! I'd quite have liked a wee heart monitor fitted to me. You might look a loony celebrating goals, but at least it is slightly easier on the heart.
Off to Raith next week then. They haven't won in the league yet, whilst we haven't lost. So, by football logic, that'll be a Raith win then.