Partick Thistle 0 Dundee 1

Last updated : 24 April 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Partick Thistle's run in the SPL was ended following a 1-0 defeat to Dundee.

Thistle knew they had to take all full points from their remaining fixtures and started well when after six minutes Jean-Yves Anis shot but was saved by Julian Speroni.

The same player, a minute later, combined with Billy Gibson and his 12-yard shot was partly cleared to Billy Howie but he could not hit the target from 20 yards out.

Dundee's first chance came on seven minutes when Nacho Novo kept the ball in play and his cut back was met by SteveMilne, who seemed odds on to score but somehow shot wide.

Both sides had chances however neither keeper was seriously troubled with Doug Cameron coming closest again for Dundee on 31 minutes, but his 22-yard shot was just the wrong side of Jamie Langfield's post.

Gerry Britton had Thistle's next chance when he collected Gibson's cros-field pass and was allowed to run unchallenged into the Dundee box, but Speroni did well to hold his 18-yard shot.

On 39 minutes, James Grady had another chance to give Thistle what should have been a deserved lead, but again Speroni was equal to his ten-yard header.

As half-time approached Thistle continued to press and on 41 minutes Howie broke out of defence and laid the ball into John Paul McBride's path, but the midfielder wasted his opportunity and the ball went well wide.

The second half began with Dundee showing a bit more effort, but neither side had any clear cut chances until Dundee took the lead on 71 minutes.

Steve Lovell was allowed to run at Thistle's defence who seemed incapable of tackling him and he fired low into the far corner past Langfield from 14 yards.

Thistle now had a mountain to climb, but on 77 minutes Stephane Bonnes collected a loose pass in midfield and his 20-yard chip forced Speroni to tip the ball over for a corner.

Despite Thistle's continuing efforts there was no change to the scoreline and Thistle must now hope for off-field events to save them from relegation to the first division.