Partick Th1–2Dundee Utd

Rangers win over St Mirren on Tuesday night saw the Ibrox side leapfrog the Buddies into second place, sitting just one point behind Premier Division leaders United. The Glasgow outfit also had two games in hand, but a win over Partick Thistle in this re-arranged match from December would have help United's title hopes, with Rangers still to visit Tannadice in the coming weeks. Ray Stewart was back in the line-up after a flu bug ruled him out of the weekends Morton game, and Paul Sturrock was passed fit to play after a bruised calf muscle had caused problems. Iain Phillip and Bobby Robinson were also reinstated to the starting eleven, with Frank Kopel, Derek Addison and John Holt dropping out.

United got the quick goal they were seeking after only four minutes. Sturrock made the running with a burst through the inside-right position and crossed from the bye-line for Billy Kirkwood to score with a diving header at the far post. Three minutes later McAdam blasted over for Thistle from a corner on the right, and a Davie Dodds shot from 20 yards was just too straight at Rough to cause the Thistle keeper any problems. In the 12th minute Dave Narey almost conceded an own goal as he desperately cleared from a Melrose cutback, but the equaliser was only delayed by three minutes. McAdam, out on the right, hammered over a cross into the goalmouth where Jim Melrose headed powerfully into the net. The goal upset United and Park was on target with a long range effort that McAlpine dealt with comfortably. Somner was booked for a foul on Hegarty from behind, and on the half-hour mark McAdam should have put Thistle in front when he had a clear shot at goal but duffed his effort, and Somner shot past.

United resumed with Kirkwood coming close and a Robinson cross putting the Thistle defence in a dither. With the wind now behind them United were back in charge although playing with an anxiety a bit foreign to their usual game. Both teams made changes as desperation crept into the game, with Thistle mainly on the defensive. Addison failed by inches to connect with a Sturrock cross and in 79 minutes Stewart held his head in anguish as he saw his shot deflect off a defender and hit the post with Rough beaten. This was the signal for a fighting finish by the Tannadice men and with seven minutes to go only a brilliant save by Rough denied Addison a goal. Marr was booked with time-wasting and shortly afterwards a Stark shot and an Addison header were cleared off the line. United were not to be denied and in the final minute of the game George Fleming produced an outstanding winner with a great drive high into the roof of the net from 20 yards. United were now three points clear at the top, but had played more games than the challengers.