Division One : Cowdenbeath 1 Partick Thistle 1

Feb 16 2011

Iain Flannigan

IAIN FLANNIGAN hit a late leveller for Thistle - but the Maryhill men were left cursing a dubious penalty award to their hosts.

The draw extends Partick's unbeaten league run to eight games but boss Ian McCall was not a happy man afterwards.

His fury was caused by the eighth minute decision to penalise David Rowson for an apparewnt handball in the his own penalty area.

Jags players and officials were adamant the ball had played a Cowdenbeath hand but the spot kick was awarded and duly converted by Archie Campbell to give Cowden an early foothold.

But McCall blasted: "It wasn't a penalty. The ball hit their player and wasn't handled by one of my lads. I'm not happy."

McCall threw on-loan Hearts midfielder Ryan McGowan straight into the starting 11 just hours after completing a two month deal with the player.

McGowan replaced Paul Cairney in the heart of midfield while Scott Fox returned from flu in goal and Kris Doolan started up front with Martin Grehan.

The home side started the brighter with Greg Stewart forcing Fox into an early stop before the eighth minute opener.

Thistle gradually grabbed a foothold with McGowan and Doolan both going close.

Jags almost squared it before the break when Grehan burst clear but David Hay saved his effort and John Armstrong knocked the rebound clear.

The match looked destined to remain at 1-0 as both sides struggled to penetrate the opposition rearguard until Flannigan's late leveller.

With five minutes left the former Kilmarnock ace came to the rescue for Jags when he gathered the ball on the edge of the box after the home defence had failed to clear.

He did well to hold off two defenders before making space and sending a low left-foot shot from 10 yards beyond Hay.