FOOTBALL is a game in which it is always possible to learn from others.

In the case of Partick Thistle, that process of self-education is proving to be Academical.

Like the rest of Scottish football, the playing and coaching staff at Firhill have been transfixed by the incredible run of victories achieved by Alex Neil's Hamilton side, who started the season as relegation favourites yet now sit proudly atop the SPFL Premiership. They have become a phenomenon to marvel at. And learn from.

On Saturday, Stephen O'Donnell , Thistle's right-back ,was left to bemoan his team's late defensive lapse which led to Dan Seaborne clattering Nadir Ciftci inside the penalty box. The inevitable outcome was a red card for the Thistle captain and a penalty which the downed Dundee United striker duly despatched for the only goal of the game.

The result represented an injustice perpetrated on Alan Archibald's side who had, up until six minutes from time, produced a masterclass in frustrating United's talented attacking players. As O'Donnell acknowledged, their tactics replicated the battleplan which has brought Hamilton such stunning success this season.

"When you look at Hamilton and what they've been doing, that's what we had to do here," said the defender. "As a team we pressed United hard, hurried them up and didn't allow them to dictate things. When we managed to get on the ball we were looking to create chances of our own. We had a few decent opportunities but just didn't manage to get the ball into the net.

"Then United got their goal, which was a sickener. Especially as Ciftci looked well offside before he got the penalty."

It was a painful scoreline for the visitors to accept, especially as they had looked the better team for much of the second half. United had a decent spell in the first period when they carved out some opportunities, with the lively Gary Mackay-Steven setting up first Ciftci then Stuart Armstrong with clever flicks but their efforts were just off target.

Mackay-Steven got his own chance to bear down on goal but he was denied by Scott Fox, who then did even better to keep out a Ciftci shot after the striker raced clear moments from the break. Thistle also had chances in the first half, with Radoslaw Cierzniak keeping out a Kris Doolan drive and a shot from Christie Elliott.

After the break, though, it was the visitors who took a grip in midfield to such an extent that O'Donnell and left-back Jordan McMillan were more seen often at the edge of United's penalty box than their own.

Cierzniak produced a superb fingertip save to keep out Doolan's low half-volley but could only watch on in wonder as a powerful curling shot from Elliott thumped off the crossbar. By this stage Thistle's hard-working midfield had nullified the threat of Mackay-Steven, Armstrong and the former Thistle favourite Chris Erskine, leaving lone striker Ciftci isolated and increasingly frustrated.

Jackie McNamara, the United manager, threw on three substitutes - Ryan Dow, Blair Spittal and Aidan Connolly - but his decisions seemed to be based more on hope than expectation.

Unfortunately for Archibald's men, their education in the art of battling for a result had not extended to heeding the lessons from previous late lapses which cost them so many goals and points last season and into this term.

Despite the defeat, however, O'Donnell saw signs of promise from Thistle's display. "We came here three times last season, twice in the league and once in the cup, and were turned over each time," he recalled. "This time we competed with United from the start and even had patches of the game when we were in control. If we keep doing the right things we'll get the results we're looking for."

McNamara, formerly of the Firhill parish, was gracious enough to concede that, while packed midfields had led to both sides nullifying each other to a large extent, his own team had once again achieved a victory while not at their best. "It's the story of our season so far," he added with a sheepish grin.

That ability to win while not playing well is a valuable skill. One which plucky Thistle would love to learn as they await the chance to graduate from the SPFL Premiership's school of hard knocks.