One team in Glasgow Partick Thistle

Thistle lost 2-0 in a cold Dumfries tonight, with a performance that lacked any cutting edge whatsoever despite much possession and plenty of decent build-up play. There was also a major controversy over Queen’s opening goal being allowed to stand despite the Jags players adamantly insisting substitute John Stewart had used his hand to convert Stephen Dobbie’s cross.

Manager Ian McCall made two changes from the Rangers game, with Stephen McKeown and Kevin McKinlay replacing Gary Harkins and Scott Chaplain. Disappointingly, the stadium announcer informed the crowd that he was refusing a request to sing ‘The Northern Lights of Aberdeen’ over the tannoy.

Dobbie always looks dangerous against Thistle (and not just in the rush for half-time pies). He was the first player to have an attempt on goal, although his shot was straight at Johnny Tuffey. Mark Roberts then ha d a goal disallowed for offside after a good link-up with Damon Gray and Simon Donnelly. Donnelly in particular looked in the mood in the first half, but faded as the game progressed.

Ex-Thistle player and current Morton manager Davie Irons was soon spotted in the away section, and obliged the fans request for a wave. He also saw the funny side of then being immediately reminded that Morton may yet be making trips to East Fife and Brechin next season.

Queens always looked the more likely team to score, with their frontline of Dobbie and O’Connor as good as any in this league. Thistle saw plenty of the ball but, as on a few occasions this season, lacked any real width or pace. After 20 minutes Roberts had another volley, but it was from a tight angle and easily saved by Stephen Grindlay in the home goal. Dobbie then missed the best chance of the first half after a Steve Tosh shot deflected into his path, but he was well closed down by Tuffey and a corner was the only result.

Thistle ended the first half as the team with more control of the game, but without creating any real chances. The undoubted highlight of the interval, and probably the whole match, was Paul Keegan, who seems to be becoming something of a cult figure, responding to the fans demands for a half-time dance. His footwork was actually quite impressive – surely an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing is now a formality.

Stevie Murray started the second period in place of the ineffective McKinlay, but it was Queens who were immediately on the front foot, with a Dobbie volley swerving viciously at the feet of Tuffey, who dealt with it well. The home team then came even closer, with Stewart flicking a low cross onto the outside of the post.

Queens were certainly looking like scoring, and sure enough they did after 57 minutes. Tuffey appeared to punch a cross right onto Stewart and in, with the Thistle players furiously protesting to both referee Eddie Smith and to the linesman that the striker had used his hand, both of whom were unmoved.

Chaplain and Keegan both arrived as Thistle attempted to get back on level terms, but we failed to produce anything more than a flurry of corners and free-kicks, the most of productive of which almost saw Ryan McCann score past his own keeper. Donnelly the found himself in a decent shooting position after Roberts lay-off, but dragged his shot wide.

The home team secured their win with 15 minutes remaining, and it was defended badly. Dobbie was allowed to get to the bye-line when he really shouldn’t have been, appearing to push Donnelly off the ball to do so, and when his cross wasn’t cleared, left-back Robert Harris fired a shot through the crowded area and past Tuffey.

It would be remiss not to mention the farcical refereeing display that Smith was giving by this stage. One incident in particular saw Jim Thomson appear to lead with his elbow in an aerial challenge with Keegan, yet the only outcome of this was a booking for Roberts for dissent. There’s no doubt Queens were the better team and merited their victory, but it was frustrating to see so many poor decisions going against Thistle.

After the second goal Thistle never really looked like getting back into the game, with our best effort coming when Keegan did well to get a shot in when surrounded by Queens defenders, although it lacked the power to make an impression on the goalkeeper.

Queens are now in pole position in the ‘race’ for 4th place in Division One, and I’m sure plenty of Thistle fans will join me in wishing them luck for the cup final (especially if it’s against Rangers). Palmerston is always an enjoyable away day, even if this match itself was not.

Man of the match: Simon Donnelly