Partick Thistle 0-0 Carlisle

Jul 20 2008 Kenny Macdonald At Stark'S Park

SFA supremo Gordon Smith watched his son Grant help Carlisle grind out a dismal draw with Partick. The former Livingston and Dundee United midfielder is now turning out for the League One side but his return to Scotland was far from memorable.

Smith failed to liven up the game by getting on the scoresheet but no player dazzled in this boring stalemate.

Thistle wasted several good chances but Carlisle started stronger and Simon Hackney saw a near-post shot parried by keeper Jonny Tuffey.

Jags had another escape five minutes later when Smith charged clear and knocked the ball past Tuffey.

The midfielder then cut the ball back for Cleveland Taylor who chipped a superb shot on to the bar.

Thistle responded with Mark Roberts feeding Gary Harkins on the right but he pulled his shot wide.

Team-mate Simon Donnelly then came close with a thunderous free-kick from 20 yards that forced keeper Ben Williams into a full-length save.

He failed to hold Donnelly's effort and Scott Chaplain screwed the rebound wide. Thistle threatened again moments later when Marc Twaddle headed over.

But Carlisle hit back in 30 minutes with Scott Dobie firing narrowly wide after charging into the area.

The former Scotland capwas involved two minutes later in another raid as he latched on to a superb pass from Taylor.

However Dobie took a heavy touch, allowing Tuffey to race from his line and smother.

The game became scrappy in the second half and Jags sub Kevin McKinlay blew a great chance when he blazed over after a goalmouth scramble.

Ian McCall's men should have won it in 82 minutes when they split the Carlisle defence wide open.

But David Rowson failed to connect with Twaddle's cross to the back post.