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Motherwell striker Nadir Ciftci scored his first goal for the club to earn a draw against Partick Thistle.

The visitors opened the scoring when the unmarked striker Kris Doolan headed Martin Woods' free-kick past Trevor Carson.

It was the 99th league goal of Doolan's career and his seventh of the season so far.

Motherwell kept probing, though, and Ciftci lashed home after Charles Dunne headed the ball down.

It was 1996 the last time Partick Thistle beat Motherwell at Fir Park - a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Tommy Turner and Gregg Watson.

Motherwell striker Nadir Ciftci equalised against Partick Thistle with his first goal for the club

However, the Thistle players of 2018 almost found themselves 1-0 down as early as the third minute. Craig Tanner curled a cross towards the back post and there was Ciftci, who poked the ball towards goal. Just as it looked like the ball might sneak into the net, Partick Thistle goalkeeper Tomas Cerny got a hand to it to turn the ball round the post.

Ryan Edwards had scored a fine goal against St Johnstone the previous weekend and he should have fired Thistle 1-0 up in the 14th minute. Miles Storey swung a cross to the back post and Edwards flew in with a diving header, but the ball carried over the bar.

Main had hit the ground running since arriving at Fir Park, but he failed to add to his goal tally when sent clean through on goal, opting to lob the keeper only for Cerny to scramble back to make the save.

Overall, excitement was in short supply, although the crowd became animated following a heavy challenge from Abdul Osman on Motherwell midfielder Alan Campbell. Despite loud claims for tougher action from the home fans, referee Nick Walsh opted to show Osman a yellow card.

Motherwell midfielder Chris Cadden is challenged by Partick Thistle's Martin Woods

Come the second half there was a big chance for Motherwell from a Chris Cadden corner. The Partick Thistle defence scrambled clear and although Motherwell captain Carl McHugh seemed to claim the ball had crossed the line, the officials waved play on.

Almost immediately, Partick Thistle took the lead. Woods flighted a free kick into the box and there was Doolan with the perfect header to put his side 1-0 in front.

Motherwell thought they had equalised when Main nodded into the net from close range, but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside.

The home side would not have to wait much longer for an equaliser, though. It came from Ciftci, after Dunne headed the ball into his path and the striker then fired past Cerny to claim his first goal for the Steelmen. It sent the home crowd into a mixture of rapture and relief.

Post-match reaction

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: "I do [think Motherwell could have won the match]. Trevor Carson's not had a save to make all match. We got punished for a set play which was extremely frustrating when you have designated people to mark and we have to rectify that straight away.

"People have designated markers, they didn't do their job but we will deal with that.

"I thought the boys showed super character again. It was a frustrating first half because we had chances, we had a goal disallowed and we had a lot of pressure in the second half. The least we deserved was a point.

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald felt his side had done enough to defeat Motherwell

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald: "I felt we were defending and coping really well with Motherwell, I thought we dealt with with most of the things they threw at us. I thought we did enough to just hang on in there.

"We should defend it better, we have got three centre backs in there to do a job and we just switched off for that second and let Ciftci to turn and finish it.

"You can always rely on Kris Doolan. He got his chance and he took it, I thought his overall team play was good as well."