Saints were denied all three points this evening as a stoppage-time penalty from Oisin Smyth meant that Simo Valakari’s side had to settle for a point in the top of the table clash with Partick Thistle at McDiarmid Park.
Partick Thistle took the lead on 42 minutes when Oisin Smyth finished a swift counter-attack, converting after a quick break from Tony Watt, to hand the Maryhill side a half-time advantage.
Saints bounced back in the second half and were level on 48 minutes when Alfredo Agyeman slotted home his first goal for the club. The momentum remained with Saints and the turnaround was completed on 66 minutes when Josh McPake produced a trademark finish to fire Saints into a 2-1 lead.
However, deep into stoppage time Alex Samuel won a penalty for the Jags after being fouled by Cheick Diabate and Smyth slotted the ball home from the penalty spot to rescue a point for the visitors.
Saints are back in action next weekend when they welcome Ayr United to McDiarmid Park for a KDM Evolution Trophy quarter-final tie, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints welcomed Partick Thistle to McDiarmid Park this evening for a top of the table clash which was live on BBC Scotland. Simo Valakari made one change to the side which started the 1-0 defeat to Dunfermline Athletic last weekend as Liam Smith dropped to the bench and he was replace by Božo Mikulić. There was also a space on the bench for new signing Josh Fowler who joined the club yesterday from Queen’s Park for an undisclosed fee. Partick Thistle took advantage of Saints defeat to the Pars as they closed the gap at the top of the table to two points last weekend with a 2-1 win against Ayr United at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill. Head coach Mark Wilson also made one change to his starting eleven this evening as Robbie Crawford came in to replace Logan Chalmers who dropped to the bench.
Robbie Crawford got the match underway for the visitors and the Jags created the first chance of the match after 3 minutes as a clearance from Božo Mikulić cannoned off Alex Samuel and the Welshman then burst into the box before unleashing a strike which hit the side netting.
2 minutes later Saints got their first sight of goal as Morgan Boyes burst forward with the ball before letting fly from distance however, he wasn’t able to test Josh Clarke in the Thistle goal.
It was a lively start to the match and on 6 minutes Tony Watt gathered the ball just inside the box before seeing his effort palmed away by Toby Steward.
Good link-up play on 11 minutes saw Josh McPake’s cutback gathered by Jamie Gullan and the forward then laid the ball off to Jason Holt however, the strike from the Saints captain was deflected behind for a corner by Daniel O’Reilly. Then shortly after Gullan fired wide of the target.
PHOTO: Jason Holt’s shot is pushed wide by Josh Clarke
Saints started to take hold of the game and on 24 minutes Boyes picked out Alfredo Agyeman on the edge of the area and the forward unleashed a powerful effort which was saved by Clarke. Then 3 minutes later Clarke was called into action again, this time comfortably gathering a Gullan strike.
The Jags though still proved to be a threat as just after the half an hour mark Mikulić brilliantly cut a strike from Crawford.
Saints continued to push for the opener and on 37 minutes Gullan picked out Reece McAlear on the edge of the area and the midfielder saw his shot turned behind for a corner by Clarke.
Then following a swift counter-attack Partick took the lead with 3 minutes of the first half remaining. It came from a Saints corner as Tony Watt gathered the ball before breaking forward. The former Saints player then squared the ball to Oisin Symth who slotted home to give the visitors a half time lead.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan and Luke McBeth
Saints made a change at the break as Josh Fowler came on to make his Saints debut, replacing Sam Stanton.
Saints hit back early in the second half as they levelled the match on 48 minutes. A Gullan corner from the left was only partially cleared by the Jags defence and Agyeman was able to gather the ball before unleashing a shot on the turn which took a wicked deflection off O’Reilly to take the shot past a helpless Clarke.
Saints now went in search of a second and on 50 minutes Adam Forrester curled an effort inches wide of the far post. Then on 58 minutes Holt created space for himself on the edge of the box before firing over the bar.
PHOTO: Alfredo Agyeman celebrates his goal
The visitors were on the ropes as Saints continued to push forward and shortly after Holt picked out Gullan who got a sight of goal however, his effort was turned behind for another corner by Luke McBeth.
Saints were showing more intent and on 64 minutes Agyeman stung Clarke’s palms with a powerful strike.
The dominant second half performance by Saints was rewarded 2 minutes later as they took the lead. McPake gathered the ball on the edge of the box and then cut inside, drifting across the edge of the area before unleashing a fine low left footed strike past Clarke and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Mikulić was putting in a solid performance for his first league game of the season however, with 16 minutes remaining the Croatian pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Jack Baird.
PHOTO: Josh McPake celebrates his goal with the East Stand fans
Then a minute later Saints came close to a third as Fowler was inches away from connecting with a Agyeman delivery into the box from the right.
The Jags were able to soak up the Saints pressure and on 77 minutes Samuels got on the end of a cross from substitute Fraser Taylor however, the forward couldn’t test Steward in the Saints goal.
Simo Valakari made another change as Kai Fotheringham came on to replace Josh McPake.
Saints continued to push forward and on 87 minutes Gullan’s strike was saved by Clarke, then shortly after Clarke was called into action again, this time turning a Agyeman effort behind for a corner. Saints then made another substitution as Jamie Gullan made way for Victor Griffith.
PHOTO: Morgan Boyes gets between Tony Watt and Fraser Taylor
5 minutes was added on at the end and on 93 minutes Smyth tested Steward with a strike which the Saints number one was equal to. The Maryhill side continued to push for an equaliser and deep into stoppage time they were awarded a penalty after Samuel went down in the box after clashing with Cheick Diabate. Smyth stepped up to convert from the spot, despite Steward going the correct way, to ensure that the points were shared.
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Mikulić (Baird 74’), Holt, Gullan (Griffith 89’), Stanton (Fowler 45’), McPake (Fotheringham 79’), Agyeman, Forrester, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Foulds, Lloyd, Steven, Smith
Booked: Mikulić, Forrester, Baird, Fowler, Diabate
Scorers: Agyeman (48’), McPake (66’)
Partick Thistle: Clarke, Reading (Loughrey 59’), Ashcroft, Smyth, Samuel, Crawford (Turner 67’), McBeth (Chalmers 73’), O’Reilly, McPherson, Stanway (Taylor 71’), Watt
Unused Substitutes: Budinauckas (GK), Logan, Martin, Diack, Fitzpatrick
Booked: McBeth, McPherson, O’Reilly, Ashcroft
Scorers: Smyth (42’, 90+6’ pen)
Referee: Sean Murdoch
Attendance: 5,949
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Alfredo Agyeman’s shot is blocked by Lee Ashcroft
