PARTICK THISTLE and Alloa played out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Saturday in a match that, in truth, neither side deserved to lose.
A Steven Saunders own goal gave the hosts the lead in the second half but in an extraordinary passage of play, Thistle were then awarded two penalties in quick succession, with Bannigan converting one of them.
It was tight, well-contested and occasionally fraught contest at the Indodrill Stadium. Here are five things we learned in Clackmannanshire…
Thistle backline needs O’Ware
Jags captain Tam O’Ware missed out on Saturday’s trip to Alloa after his match-winning strike at Cappielow the previous week and he was sorely missed by the visitors.
Saunders retained his place in the starting XI and was partnered by Sean McGinty, but the centre-half failed to impress. The own goal he conceded was unfortunate but he looked slow on the turn, loose in the tackle and ponderous in possession throughout.
McGinty never truly convinced either but came close to opening the scoring following a corner in the opening 10 minutes, but neither of Ian McCall’s centre-back pairing can be said to have enjoyed a great day at the office. Keeping O’Ware fit and free of suspension will be crucial if Thistle’s bid to reach the play-offs at the end of the season is to be successful.
READ MORE: Alloa 1, Partick Thistle 1: Bannigan... and again as Alloa pay penalty in end
Cole extension key for Jags
Brentford midfielder Reece Cole extended his loan deal in Glasgow’s west end until the remainder of the campaign on New Years Day and judging by this performance, it could be the best bit of business that Thistle do this month.
The classy midfielder came close on two occasions to scoring incredible 35-yard strikes and pinged the ball around the park with consummate ease. He looks right at home in this league and at Firhill and the 21-year-old should make a great impact in McCall’s side before the season concludes.
Osman Kakay’s return to Queens Park Rangers leaves a gap that needs filled on the right and Thistle are sure to miss him, but retaining the services of Cole was a matter of urgency and McCall will be delighted to have got the deal over the line – especially considering that Cole had other offers.
Miller needs positional discipline
After the 1-0 home defeat to Dundee a fortnight ago, McCall was insistent that he is happy with the way Kenny Miller drifts around the pitch, looking for pockets of space to exploit in the opponent’s half.
And while the 40-year-old remains one of Thistle’s more technical players, his presence further up the park is sorely missed. The Jags’ primary concern in recent weeks has not been creating chances, it has been taking them and all too often Miller is nowhere near the ball when opportunities are fashioned in the final third.
A perfect example of this issue was highlighted on Saturday in the second half. Thistle did well to work the ball into a dangerous area before it took a fortuitous deflection and rolled across the face of goal. Any contact would have surely resulted in a goal and while Miller lunged at it, the ball was always slightly too ahead of him. If he was more disciplined with his positioning, Thistle could have left with all three points.
READ MORE: Alan Archibald looks to build momentum ahead of Alloa visit
MacDonald will be attracting Premiership attention
The on-loan Killie goalkeeper was superb on Saturday and was a just recipient of the man of the match award. MacDonald pulled off a series of excellent saves to keep Alloa in the game and without his heroics, it is difficult to envisage the home side getting anything from the match.
Whether the 33-year-old remains at Alloa for the remainder of the season remains to be seen, but he is sure to be gathering admirers after a highly successful loan spell in Scotland’s second tier. With a number of top-flight clubs in the market for a goalkeeper – and the recent change in manager at Rugby Park – it would not be a surprise to see MacDonald back in the Premiership for the second half of the season.
Away advantage at Alloa?
Saturday’s visitors brought a sizeable away support with them, with the majority of the 1,827 fans in attendance making the trip from Glasgow. They filled one stand alongside the pitch and many occupied the terraces behind one of the goals – something that Wasps manager Peter Grant believes gives his side a disadvantage.
"It’s ironic that teams with big support are behind that goal, and if there is a half a decision to be made and they make a roar - and listen I played with a team that was very similar – there’s decision’s getting made that aren’t right and that happened today,” he insisted.
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