OPENING MATCH STALEMATE

Reviewing Saturday's first match of the season, Manager Alex Smith commented: "We were expecting to get a tough game on Saturday at Firhill; it was Partick's first match back in the Premier League accompanied by the unfurling of the First Division Championship flag, and all the hype that goes with it. We started out well, but after 10 to 15 minutes, Partick were on the ascendancy, and had it not been for a splendid save by Gallacher in 23 minutes, we might have fallen behind. In the second half, we became the dominant force. We had many good crossing chances and a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 58th minute, but failed to convert. Settling with a draw on a first game of the season away you would normally feel reasonably satisfied, but we left feeling that we dropped two points. On the positive side, we had outstanding performances from the young two full-backs Duff and McCunnie. Griffin, McGowne and Lauchlan also played extremely well. We can definitely build from that knowing that other players will contribute more on another day."