Luckless Partick Thistle paid dearly for missing a series of chances against Dundee United when they could only take a point off the Taysiders in their Bank of Scotland Premier League clash at Firhill.

The Maryhill men dominated most of the game and missed several opportunities to take the lead before a David Rowson goal in the 65th minute eventually broke the deadlock.

The Jags were stunned only three minutes later, however, when a spectacular Barry Robson free-kick from 30 yards found the postage stamp.

It was cruel fortune for the relegation-bound Jags who also hit the woodwork on several occasions and who deserved so much more for their efforts.

It was United who opened the better though and in the sixth minute they should have taken the lead after Jim McIntyre's pressure on Jean-Yves Anis led to a short pass back from the Jags defender which the alert Andy McLaren latched on to.

The former Kilmarnock striker was left with only Jamie Langfield to beat in the Thistle goal but screwed a poor shot wide of the far post from just 10 yards out.

Moments later at the other end, Thistle striker Jamie Mitchell had the ball in the United net after Gerry Britton's chip shot from 15 yards had come off the bar but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The home side's confidence took a boost from that disappointment and the United defence had to be on their toes to cope with some incessant pressure from a Partick side playing some of their best football of the season.

In the 15th minute, following an untidy goalmouth scramble, Jags striker Stephane Bonnes had a net-bound shot from eight yards out cleared off the line by United defender Mark Wilson. It seemed only a matter of time before a Partick goal arrived.

However, the visitors looked dangerous on the counter-attack and a minute later Thistle defender Daniele Chiarini had to sacrifice a booking when he fouled the strong-running Barry Robson as the United midfielder shaped to go clear through on goal.

From the resultant free-kick 25 yards out, former Jags player Alan Archibald shot inches wide of Langfield's right hand post.

The match continued to ebb and flow with the Maryhill men slightly in the ascendancy but still the breakthrough would not come.

In the 31st minute, the home side went close again when a decent Anis cross from wide on the right found Milne coming in at the back post but the big midfielder's header went wide.

Thistle's failure to take their chances had contributed to their poor league position and after the break they were desperate to turn their pressure into goal.

In the 51st minute, after good work on the left by Milne, Thistle midfielder Billy Gibson crashed a shot from the edge of the box off the bar.

As the second half wore on the Taysiders continued to struggle. Britton's close-range header from an Anis cross, which went high over the bar in the 57th minute, was another let-off for United.

Thistle had no luck again on the hour mark when Bonnes' near post header came off the bar with Gallacher well beaten before bouncing away to safety.

However, the breakthrough for the home side eventually came in the 66th minute. David Rowson took a pass from Milne before trying his luck from the edge of the box and Gallacher could only dive in despair as the ball sped past him and into the corner of the net.

Two minutes later however, joy turned to despair for Thistle when their lead was wiped out. From a free-kick 30 yards from goal Robson stepped up to curl a tremendous shot into the top corner giving Langfield no chance.

The surprise United goal stunned the home side but still the Jags battled back to take control of the game again, pushing United back towards their own penalty area.

In the 86th minute a 30-yard free kick from Thistle substitute Derek Fleming, on earlier for Billy Gibson, cracked the left hand post before rebounding to safety, summing up Thistle's frustrating afternoon.

Teams

Partick Langfield, Billy Gibson (Fleming 74), Ian Ross, Murray, Chiarini, Mitchell, Rowson, Milne, Anis, Britton (Cadete 89), Bonnes (Andy Gibson 71).

Subs Not Used: Arthur, Madaschi.

Booked: Chiarini, Anis.

Goals: Rowson 65.

Dundee Utd Gallacher, Wilson (Scotland 77), Kerr (Dodds 47), Innes, Archibald, McCracken, McInnes, Miller, Robson, McIntyre, McLaren (Easton 63).

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Duff.

Booked: Innes.

Goals: Robson 68.

Att: 3,510

Ref: H Dallas (Scotland).