Match ends, Dundee United 1, Partick Thistle 0.
Dundee UtdDundee United1Partick ThistlePartick Thistle0
Dundee United maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship after Lawrence Shankland's 17th goal of the season earned victory over Partick Thistle.
The Scotland international headed in Louis Appere's delivery just after the hour at an angst-ridden Tannadice.
Shankland had earlier struck the bar in a game from which bottom side Thistle will feel they deserve something after missing several opportunities.
They remain five points from safety.
United, meanwhile, travel to face third-place Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday and may have to do without winger Peter Pawlett, who was replaced inside the opening minutes with a tight hamstring.
Dundee United head coach Robbie Neilson: "It was a difficult game and credit to Partick. It's a long season and there are going to be games like this where it's about finding a way to win.
"It wasn't pretty but it's another three points. We'll get nothing for free in this league because we are one of the big hitters."
Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall: "We were terrific from start to finish. we certainly didn't deserve to lose. Nearly 90% of the second half was played in their half. I'm incredibly proud of how they played.
"They are playing big bucks for a centre forward and he was the difference because they were hanging on."
Line-ups
Dundee Utd
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Siegrist
- 2Smith
- 18Butcher
- 6Reynolds
- 17RobsonBooked at 55mins
- 7McMullan
- 25KingSubstituted forStantonat 59'minutes
- 23Harkes
- 8PawlettSubstituted forAppereat 3'minutes
- 10ClarkBooked at 87minsSubstituted forWatsonat 90+1'minutes
- 24ShanklandBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 3Sporle
- 11Smith
- 12Stanton
- 13Mehmet
- 27Appere
- 35Cooney
- 44Watson
Partick Thistle
Formation 4-5-1
- 22Fox
- 2Williamson
- 43Saunders
- 6McGinty
- 3PenriceBooked at 31mins
- 16Palmer
- 14Gordon
- 19Zanatta
- 8Bannigan
- 7CardleSubstituted forHarkinsat 80'minutes
- 9MillerSubstituted forMansellat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Sneddon
- 4O'Ware
- 11Harkins
- 17Slater
- 18Mansell
- 23De Vita
- 24Kakay
- Referee:
- Greg Aitken
- Attendance:
- 6,929
Match Stats
Home TeamDundee UtdAway TeamPartick Thistle
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away5
- Corners
- Home6
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Dundee United 1, Partick Thistle 0.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Paul Watson.
Booking
Lawrence Shankland (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Hand ball by Lawrence Shankland (Dundee United).
Substitution
Substitution, Dundee United. Paul Watson replaces Nicky Clark.
Post update
Attempt saved. Shea Gordon (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Lawrence Shankland (Dundee United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Booking
Nicky Clark (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Ian Harkes (Dundee United).
Post update
Lewis Mansell (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Louis Appere (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Gary Harkins.
Post update
Lawrence Shankland (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Steven Saunders (Partick Thistle).
Substitution
Substitution, Partick Thistle. Gary Harkins replaces Joe Cardle.
Post update
Attempt missed. Joe Cardle (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Dario Zanatta (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Post update
Nicky Clark (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle).
