Saints 1-2 Partick Thistle (29.10.16)

A stoppage time strike from Abdul Osman won the points for visitors Partick Thistle as Saints couldn't get the win they needed to move into 2nd place in the Scottish Premiership.

Kris Doolan had opened the scoring for the Jags in the 17th minute but Steven MacLean, who returned to the team after not featuring in Wednesday's draw at Rangers, replied within a minute to pull Saints level before Osman's late winner.

MATCH REPORT

Saints headed into Saturday’s clash with Partick Thistle looking to build on their well deserved point at Ibrox midweek. Goalscorer Blair Alston dropped to the bench for Graham Cummins, Steven MacLean replaced Chris Kane, and Wotherspoon came in for Chris Millar.

Partick kicked off, with Saints starting the first half shooting into the North Stand, and Brian Easton bailed out the hosts after just a minute making a crucial sliding challenge inside the six yard box.

Danny Swanson carved out Saints first chance, weaving through the Partick ranks in his trademark style, but his curling effort from 18 yards was held by Stuckmann.

Cummins then came close when Paul Paton played a second ball into the box which the Irishman controlled well, but the striker couldn’t find MacLean to finish the move.

But it was Alan Archibald’s side who opened the scoring on 16 minutes as Liam Craig conceded a free kick, and the set piece was poked home by Doolan. 0-1.

However Saints were level in under a minute as excellent control from Wotherspoon saw the winger feed MacLean to tap in his second goal against the Jags this season. 1-1.

Zander Clark then rescued Saints after 26 minutes when a deflected Elliott cross looked to be heading into the top corner, but the stopper kept the scores level with an excellent dive to his left.

Just after half an hour, excellent linkup between Swanson and Shaughnessy saw the defender pull of a fine curling effort from 15 yards, but keeper Stuckmann held comfortably.

After a quiet end to the half, Cook blew for the interval with the scores level. Half time: St Johnstone 1-1 Partick Thistle.

Saints got the second half underway, and although it began fairly uneventfully, David Wotherspoon crashed a cross from the touchline off the crossbar as the Thistle defence watched in awe.

Thistle came close as Doolan’s strike from the edge of the area on the hour mark was parried back into play by Clark, but the rebound was skied by Ryan Edwards.

Saints made their first change on 63 minutes as Chris Kane replaced Cummins.

Clark pulled off a stunning save to prevent Edwards putting Thistle back in front as he blocked the Australian’s effort bravely.

Saints second change came with 20 minutes to go as Michael Coulson replaced Danny Swanson. Meanwhile, Thistle switched Doolan for Erskine.

Saints final change was to bring on Alston for Wotherspoon.

Michael Coulson came close late on with a powerful drive from distance, but the Englishman’s shot just soared over.

Partick brought on Amoo for Azeez with less than five minutes to go in their hunt for a late winner.

As injury time loomed, Shaughnessy leapt highest to meet a Paton free kick, but the defender couldn’t find the target with his effort.

But it was Partick who got the late winner, through Abdul Osman as Amoo beat Craig to deliver a low cross to the captain’s feet.

And it finished 2-1 to the visitors as a late flourish of pressure from Saints proved fruitless. Full time: St Johnstone 1-2 Partick Thistle.

Saints: Clark, Anderson, Foster, Shaughnessy, Easton, Craig, Paton, Wotherspoon (Alston, 79), Swanson (Coulson, 71), MacLean, Cummins (Kane, 63). Unused subs: Mannus, Millar, Gordon, Comrie.

Goals: MacLean (17)

Partick: Stuckmann, Booth, Welsh, Lindsay, Osman, Doolan (Erskine, 71), Barton, Elliott, Devine, Azeez (AMoo, 86), Edwards. Unused subs: Cullen, Wilson, McDaid, Syme, Gordon.

Goals: Doolan (16)

Attendance: 3096 Referee: Cook Man of the Match: Ricky Foster

Match report by Ross Gardiner.