After a storming start to this local-ish derby the Jags fell to a second straight defeat after having a seemingly perfectly good goal disallowed.

After a dismal showing against Falkirk seven days earlier Thistle started with purpose and determination only to be stunned by a Saint comeback and a linesman of questionable eyesight.

Partick dominated the opening exchanges with Steve Fulton and Manny Panther both screwing early chances wide of Buddies keeper Craig Hinchcliffe’s goal.

If Hinchcliffe thought he had escaped he had another thing coming-namely a Spaniard with a penchant for the spectacular goal. This time a powerful close range header from Derek Fleming's free kick did the trick and the visitors were up and running

It was almost two shortly after. Panther leapt into action dispossessing the Saints keeper and firing of an effort, which that notable ex jag (sarcasm) Kevin McGowne cleared of the line.

This seemed to sting the home side into action with O’Neil bringing out a typically fine diving stop from former Scotland Squad keeper Kenny Arthur.

From the resultant corner the Jags no 1 was helpless as Paatelainen sent a header rebounding off the bar but from the rebound centre half Kirk Broadfoot finished as his position suggested he would and he cracked one over.

St Mirren came out strongly in the second half looking to put Thistle on the back foot and forced two corners in succession with Kenny Arthur and Grant Murray taking it in turn to mop up the danger.

However 10 minutes John O'Neill appeared to be given carte blanche by the officials to make up his own regulations for the beautiful game as he quickly dispensed with the rule they call offside to collect Paatelainan's knock-down fire home to level the scoring.

The Maryhill men seemingly had survived the best attempts of the saints to add to their equalizer and should have took the lead in 67 minutes when Laurie Ellis used all the subtlety his name suggested to bowl over Willie Howie and grant the Jags a penalty.

Derek Whyte and Gerry Britton were not bowled over by the finish, Fleming slamming wide of the far post

3 minutes later Fleming who broke his leg on this ground at Thistle’s promotion party here over 2 year ago watched Hugh Murray cross for Mixu Paatelainen who dived full length and with women and children cowering for the lives his header flew home.

Thistle thought they had claimed a point when sub Armand One nodded home what looked like a late leveller but the goal was ruled out for offside.

One question. Why?

St Mirren: Hinchcliffe, Broadfoot,Millen, McGowne, van Zanten, Reilly, Murray, O'Neil, Lappin (Ellis 60), Paatelainen, McGinty (Baird 78). Subs not used: Woods, Gillies and Russell.

Partick Th: Arthur, Gibson, Panther (Milne 71), Murray, Dowie, Fulton, Mitchell, Fleming (One 78), Escalas, Hinds, Howie. Subs not used: Pinkowski, Madaschi and Wilkinson.

Big Match Reaction

Armand One: "The players were very angry in the dressing room afterwards. My goal was disallowed, but their first was given and it was offside. We feel we should have had at least a point from the game.

"I was not offside, that was for sure. I came from behind my marker and anyway, there was a deflection off one of their defenders before I made contact, so how can it be ruled offside?

I ran to salute the fans and celebrate my first competitive goal for Thistle and what was one of the best moments of my career, but that has been ruined. Now it is the worst time of my career."

Derek Whyte said: "The disallowed goal for us was debatable. Apparently the stand side linesman flagged for the initial ball before the deflection. And if the assistant deemed Armand offside when Kenny Milne crossed the ball then that is fair enough and we have no complaint over that one.

"But as for their first goal, the stand side linesman wasn't up with play and was not in a good position to judge - their man was definitely offside. The standard of officiating was poor. But the disappointing thing is we had the opportunity to win the game with the penalty and didn't take it. We just weren't strong enough mentally."