IF Santa has three SPFL Premiership points on the back of his sleigh later this week, he should drop them at the front door of Firhill.
Partick Thistle thought they had got the present they have waited some time for yesterday, but they were again left dejected and deflated, if not defeated.
Consecutive league wins have evaded Alan Archibald's side since they returned to Scotland's top flight last season and, somehow, that remains the case this morning.
A week after turning in one of their most accomplished recent performances at this level as they eased to a 4-0 win over Inverness, the Jags were on course to make it six points from six against Dundee. Yet again, though, they were denied at the death as Conrad Balatoni's own goal inflicted another blow on a squad that have suffered their fair share. "That is the last two home games we have drawn 1-1 and that is why we are not in the top six," Archibald said. "St Johnstone won 1-0 today, they are grinding out results and that is why they are in the top six. It is bitterly disappointing."
Anyone who made their way to Firhill with a festive spring in their step was soon brought back down to earth as both teams slugged out a low-key, low-quality first half.
Chances were few and far between as neither side got going and the winter chill began to set in. Ryan Stevenson and Greg Stewart fired over from promising positions before James Craigen's shot was saved by Kyle Letheren. It took until just before the hour mark for the deadlock to be broken, but it was worth the wait for the Thistle fans. Stevenson's quick thinking and quick throw-in set Kallum Higginbotham away down the left flank and when the former Hearts man got the ball back, his cross found Craigen, who converted from close range to give the Jags a deserved lead.
After a European style "James" and "Craigen" celebration in conjunction with the man on the PA mic, a chorus of an Archibald-themed Twelve Days of Christmas ensured Firhill was a far happier place for those in red and yellow. It didn't last long enough, though.
The win Thistle had been waiting for edged ever closer, but it was never fully within their grasp. The net should have bulged and the songs started again on more than one occasion, but Craigen scooped his effort over from the edge of the area and Higginbotham and Gary Fraser both came close.
With victory in sight, Paul Gallacher collected a James McPake header, but he could do nothing as Philip Roberts' cross hit Balatoni and ended up in the back of the net with seconds to go.
Thistle were shattered but it was a moment to savour for Dundeet the last-gasp leveller keeping them above their hosts in the table and a reward for their endeavours if not their quality on the day.
"I'm happy with a point," manager Paul Hartley said. "I didn't think it was a good game of football, we huffed and puffed. We dug in right to the end and I think the substitutions made a difference but we have to play better."
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