Partick Thistle 0-0 Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock continued their recent failure to convert opportunities into goals with a 0-0 draw against Partick Thistle at Firhill.The result could prove costly as Dundee United's impressive win at St Johnstone drags Kilmarnock ever closer to the foot of the Ladbrokes Premiership.The visitors went close to breaking the deadlock in the third minute when a free-kick was awarded after Greg Kiltie was bundled over by Gary Miller. Julien Faubert found Kilmarnock's new recruit Miles Addison who headed the ball against the right post.Ten minutes in and Addison was fortunate at the other end when he failed to clear a dangerous ball and allowed Ryan Edwards an opportunity which the Thistle man blazed over.With 18 minutes on the clock Gary Dicker released Kris Boyd but Kilmarnock's former Scotland striker could only fire a weak effort which was easily stopped by Tomas Cerny.Opportunities were at a premium for the remainder of the first half with only the constant menacing runs from the right provided by Partick forward David Amoo providing any indication of a possible goal.With 35 minutes gone it was from one of Amoo's crosses that Mathias Pogba glanced a header just wide of the Kilmarnock goal.A neat interchange between Sean Welsh and Stevie Lawless just before half-time resulted in a long-range effort from Welsh which trickled past Jamie McDonald's left-hand post.After three minutes of the second half the hosts were arguably fortunate not to have fallen behind. Referee Don Robertson blew for a foul on goalkeeper Cerny by Boyd when the Kilmarnock striker slotted home on the rebound after Rory McKenzie fired a shot against the post.In the 55th minute Lawless released Callum Booth only for the Thistle left-back to be denied by a late intervention from former Partick stalwart Conrad Balatoni.With no real signs of any breakthrough, managers Lee Clark and Alan Archibald opted to introduce more attacking options to their respective armoury with Josh Magennis and Kris Doolan brought on.And it was from a Magennis burst down the right flank that the unmarked Boyd was presented with a golden opportunity that he lashed over the bar from 10 yards.Despite incessant touchline instructions from Clark, the Ayrshire men departed Glasgow with just the one point which may well come back to haunt them in their struggle to remain in the top flight.ends