Debutant Christie Elliot nets Partick Thistle a point against Hamilton Accies

Aug 22 2011

Partick Thistle 1 Hamilton Accies 1

CHRISTIE ELLIOT took just six minutes to open his account for Partick Thistle as the Jags climbed off the bottom of the table with a draw against Hamilton.

The 20-year-old striker completed a move from Whitley Bay just 24 hours earlier, signing a two-year deal after impressing on trial.

And he climbed off the bench on his debut to fire the second half opener against the Accies.

But it could have been so much better for the Maryhill men as Christie's debut strike was cancelled out after an uncharacteristic blooper from Scott Fox with 15 minutes left.

The usually sound Fox got his positioning wrong at a corner and inexplicably palmed Dougie Imrie's flag kick into his own net under pressure from Simon Mensing, who was credited with the goal.

Nevertheless Jags boss Jackie McNamara was a fairly content man after watching his side gain a valuable point.

He said: "I refuse to be too harsh on the boy, he's a great keeper who's been excellent for is.

"He made a mistake, simple as that, although it's terribly disappointing to have to settle for a draw that way.

"However, overall a draw was probably a fair result and I'm delighted Christie Elliot scored on his debut."

The pressure was on Thistle to take something from Saturday's encounter after losing their opening two matches to Dundee and Falkirk.

And the began on the back foot as Accies almost went ahead in eight minutes when Matt Paterson ran on to a long ball from Grant Gillespie and shot just wide from 10 yards.

Mensing set Paterson up with an excellent chance midway through the half but the Accies frontman fired high and wide from the corner of the six-yard box.

David Rowson was first to threaten for the home side but he headed an Iain Flannigan cross wide of Tomas Cerny's right-hand post.

Kris Doolan did find the net for Jags with a close-range shot in 31 minutes but Iain Brines ruled the ball was out before Tommy Stewart cut it back.

The second half started at a blistering pace as both sides went in search of the opener.

Flannigan, who impressed in a free role off the front two, could have provided it for Thistle in 63 minutes but headed straight into the hands of Tomas Cerny from close in.

Then Elliot, who had replaced Tommy Stewart on the hour mark, made an instant impression with the home fans when he swept his side into a 66th minute lead.

Flannigan was the creator as his delivery found the new boy who swept a clinical shot low beyond Cerny from close in.

It all looked good for the Jags to pick up their first three points of the season before Fox's howler handed Accies a point.