Ian McCall watched some of the best football he’s witnessed during his second stint as Partick Thistle manager – but it wasn’t rewarded with three points on Saturday.
The Jags drew 0-0 with Dumbarton at the weekend, registering over 20 shots on goal, compared to the one shot at the net their visitors had. But the Sons were resolute to their credit and managed to grind out a point.
A multitude of chances fell to several Thistle players, Brian Graham missing a penalty and subsequent follow-up from five yards, the Jags now six points off League One leaders Falkirk.
McCall was pleased with the performance but admits it’s two points dropped: “Since I have been back at Firhill, that’s the best we have played football wise, it was terrific. We could have scored a number of goals.
“Shea Gordon and Connor Murray both had chances to score but it just didn’t happen for them. Ross Docherty, James Penrice and Joe Cardle should have scored We had a real off day in front of goal and Brian Graham is sitting there gutted that he never scored the penalty, but as I have told the boys, you win and lose as a team.
“We missed a penalty against Falkirk and here, that would have been an extra four points. We have moved up a place in the league and kept another clean sheet.
“If we can continue to play like we have, keeping clean sheets and dominating the ball then we will have no worries.”
McCall also provided an injury update at full-time. While still missing a number of key players for this Saturday’s trip to Forfar, the Jags boss hopes to have fitness returns for the next Firhill match against Peterhead.
“We still have eight or nine out but the next time we play at home I’m hoping we have three or four of the players back,” said McCall. “Maybe not straight into the team but certainly on the bench. It would be good to have some extra bodies.
“With some of the performances the starting eleven have put in over the last few weeks, they won’t be walking straight back into the team but they will certainly give us more options within the matchday squad.”