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Scottish Premiership: Alan Archibald frustrated by Partick's loss at Tannadice

Alan Archibald, manager of Partick Thistle, says he does not intend to make any hasty decisions in the transfer market
Image: Alan Archibald: Partick boss questions vital penalty decision

Partick boss Alan Archibald felt his side were unlucky to lose their Scottish Premiership clash with high-flying Dundee United 1-0 at Tannadice.

Archibald's men had the better of much of the game against their second-placed opponents, but a controversial late penalty - converted by Nadir Ciftci - handed United three points.

Archibald felt the striker should have been pulled up for offside long before he was brought down in the box by skipper Dan Seaborne, who was sent off just to compound Partick frustrations.

Positives

"We're very disappointed with the goal we lost," said the Partick boss. "He was two yards offside.

"The fourth official was telling us that our player touched the ball on the way through, but we can't see that. That's what they told us.

"Our centre-half doesn't get across because Ciftci's starting position is two yards in front of him.

"But he said it hit Abdul Osman's leg and we can't see that on our footage. Maybe the TV companies have better footage. I don't know.

The fourth official was telling us that our player touched the ball on the way through, but we can't see that.
Alan Archibald, Partick manager

"United turned us over twice last year. But today we were closer and more than matched them all over the pitch which was pleasing. So we can go into the next match with St Johnstone with lots of positives.

"I thought our second-half performance was very good. When you come to places like Tannadice you have to be tough.

"We had chances and I thought we deserved to get something out of the game. We were not clinical enough. But it was a good performance and there are positives."

Nervous

Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara admitted his side had put up an untidy display but he was more than happy with the three points that lifted his side within a point of surprise leaders Hamilton.

"It think it's been the story of our season so far that we're winning when not at our best. I thought we looked very nervous and the frustration from the crowd was going on to the players," he said.

"It's an important three points at home to keep the unbeaten run going. It wasn't pretty, but we got there in the end.

"Nadir is getting better and hopefully he'll get a good bit of confidence from that. He had a good chance in the first half but did well to stick away the penalty."

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