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Off the back of two victories to start the new year, a trip to Inverclyde lay in wait for Partick Thistle as they took on the division’s form side. Greenock Morton - who went into the tie boasting a seven-game unbeaten run in the league - hadn’t tasted defeat since the two sides last faced off, with the Jags prevailing 2-1.

Kris Doolan named an unchanged team from the side that ran out comfortable winners against Arbroath, with new boy Daniel O’Reilly having to make do with a seat on the bench. Morton were spearheaded by George Oakley - fresh from his hat-trick heroics at Tannadice last weekend - alongside the returning Robbie Muirhead, who so often proves to be a thorn in the side of the Maryhill outfit.

The hosts looked to take a foothold on the opening stages of the game and were unlucky not to have broken the deadlock on 24 minutes. A fine glancing header from towering midfielder Iain Wilson was nodded home by Robbie Crawford who found himself free at the back post, only for the linesman’s flag to halt celebrations.

Former Jag Crawford was pulling the strings in the Morton midfield and his curling effort on the half hour mark was destined for the top corner had it not been for an outstanding fingertip save from Jamie Sneddon. Dougie Imrie’s men were piling on the pressure and the ‘ton would eventually take the lead from the resulting corner.

That man Crawford once again found himself with the freedom of the penalty area and was able to power his header downward, taking a flick from a Thistle defender on its way past Sneddon and into the back of the net. A few choice words amongst the Thistle rearguard as they looked to establish who allowed the run and subsequent free header within the six-yard box.

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With the tie approaching half time Thistle had a very strong penalty claim waved away by referee Craig Napier. Brian Graham’s venomous volley looked goalbound before striking the outstretched hand of Kirk Broadfoot but the whistler was unconvinced. The first of many eyebrow raising incidents from the match officials.

Jags boss Doolan looked to throw caution to the wind with an array of second-half changes and that decision paid off when three substitutes linked up to create the equalising goal for Thistle. A neat interchange between Tomi Adeloye and Scott Robinson saw the ball break into the path of Ricco Diack, who continued his surging run from deep by taking the ball in his stride before slotting across the goalkeeper for his second goal of the season. Cue bedlam in the Wee Dublin end as the inch perfect finish sent the Jags support into raptures.

Thistle - not content with a point - went in search of a late winner and the inspired substitute Adeloye was intent on leaving his footprint on the game. The Jags number 99 has a knack for finding goals when his side need him most, and he came ever so close to bagging from the bench once more when his first-time effort cannoned off the upright after some strong hold-up play from the centre-forward.

The game's key talking point came deep into stoppage time as the Jags continued to press for a winner. A stunning threaded ball from Aidan Fitzpatrick found the ever-reliable Jack McMillan bursting into the box, before rolling the ball across the goalmouth with Ben Stanway ready to prod the ball home from close range when inexplicably, Stanway was thrown to the ground by Morton defender Tyler French. An eerie silence engulfed Cappielow as all 3,500 in attendance awaited the inevitable award of the spot-kick, only for Napier to once again wave away the Jags’ protestations. Utter disbelief amongst those of a Thistle persuasion which even saw assistant manager Paul Macdonald find his way into the referee’s notebook for letting his emotions get the better of him.

A poor game of football marred by some overzealous officiating which ultimately saw Napier lose control of the game and dish out 12 yellow cards between the sides. A point apiece was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes as the hosts edged the opening 45 whilst the Jags were far more dominant in the second half. A draw away to the most in-form side in the division is a result that Doolan will be quietly pleased with as the Jags remain undefeated in 2024.