The home team were gifted a first half lead thanks to an uncharacteristic blunder by Stevie Hammell. His expression as he saw Erskine pounce on to the free ball in the penalty box told all. Head in hands he acknowledged his blunder – no wonder he raced the length of the pitch to congratulate Scott McDonald for salvaging a point.
Mark McGhee felt that we were not good enough in the first half but that the second half was much better. That contrast only highlighted the depth of the first half performance for in the second period Thistle fashioned several excellent goal scoring opportunities that should have seen the game wrapped up.
Azeez missed three sitters in our “much better” second half before we had fashioned a shot on target. Amoo and Azeez, the Thistle strikers, gave our central defenders a hard time and the midfield skirmishes mostly ended with the ball under Partick control.
As the game reached the third quarter we began to create chances. We were denied an earlier equaliser by an errant assistant’s flag and to the players’ credit there was no lack of effort as we chased the game.
Motherwell fans well know the scenario that unfolded for the home fans. Your team dominate for long periods and should have the contest done and dusted with time to spare but the second goal refuses to come and the inevitable happens. McDonald, the shortest player in the penalty box, rises to head the ball into the net and all the afternoon’s hard work is erased.
After two barren seasons at Firhill Motherwell took a point and the unbeaten run is now four games. With a Friday night visit from Hearts next up the squad know that a much improved performance will be needed if the run is to be extended.