Partick Thistle 1 Queen’s Park 1 – Fine finish at Firhill

QUEEN’S PARK dispelled their Firhill demons and took a point from a Partick Thistle awayday for the first time in three and a half years.

Michael Ruth’s penalty earned a draw and book-ended the season – the striker scored from the spot in the league curtain raiser against Raith, and finished it in similar fashion.

It pulled the Spiders level after Tony Watt’s first half header had given the Jags the lead.

There was little jeopardy associated with this season finale in the William Hill Championship. The Spiders were safe, but could equally finish in fifth, eighth or anywhere in between while Thistle were guaranteed second, but defending an unbeaten home record.

As it turned out, that scenario set up an enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

It was a bright start and Ruth also had the first chance two minutes in after brilliant work from Magnus Mackenzie on the left lined up Callum Smith for the supply. The southside striker headed low but Josh Clarke kicked clear.

Opposite, Spiders keeper Calum Ferrie did even better, clawing out a Tony Watt effort but the save was in vain with the flag raised against Alex Samuel.

It was the night for the keepers with Clarke next to pull one out of the top drawer to meet an equally impressive drive from captain Louis Longridge.

After another chance each, Ferrie couldn’t keep Tony Watt out with a glancing header ahead of Matthew Shiels to hand the home side a 24th minute lead.

Queen’s attempts to get back level fell to Shiels with a glancing header and a Ross McLean drive after a great lay-off from Louis Longridge. Both went wide but the Spiders were sticking to their positivity.

Sean Crightion had sent his side out with three at the back and McLean and Magnus Mackenzie at wing-back. Michael Ruth was partnered by Callum Smith in attack with Longridge, Aidan Connolly and Roddy MacGregor in behind.

The latter missed a gilt-edged chance in the 49th minute when Smith’s header back across goal from Connolly’s clipped cross fell to his feet – but he swiped at fresh ir and Thistle escaped with the lead intact.

The Spiders had been the brighter side in the second half, having given a good account in the first half without converting.

That changed, but not before Cal Ferrie resorted to type and beat away a Fitzpatrick strike with another incredible save.

Michael Ruth book-ended the season with a penalty in the opener and closer after Aidan Connolly was wiped out by Paddy Reading on the 64th minute. 

Suddenly the Spiders looked spritely. It was a deserved equaliser and one which raised Queen’s Park back to sixth in the table.

Callum Smith could have lifted them to fifth above Raith Rovers, who trailed Ross County, but his dink over Clarke was just behind Aidan Connolly running in on goal.

Ferrie produced another brilliant save, one-handed this time to deny Robbie Crawford and, for a game with little riding on it the chances were coming thick and fast.

With teams at the bottom shifting almost by the minute, Raith Rovers’ comeback meant the Spiders couldn’t overtake them to fifth no matter the result in Maryhill. But Callum Smith almost ended the season with a goal running through with ten minutes to play and pulling his shot just wide.

Sean Crighton had added youngsters Harris Afzal, Cole Goldie and Kyle Rodger to the matchday squad but only Tyrece McDonnell featured as a late replacement for goalscorer Ruth.

In the end Thistle maintained their unbeaten home record for the season, and the Spiders took their first points north of the river for three and a half years – a 4-0 win back in October 2022.