THERE was no late drama this time. In the end, there was only disappointment and frustration for Rangers.

The Light Blues left it until the final seconds on their two trips to Firhill last season as Joe Dodoo and then Joe Garner left Partick Thistle empty handed. The Jags got their rewards this time, though.

Rangers made the short trip across Glasgow with top spot in the Premiership in their sights but returned to Ibrox having seen another two crucial points slip through their grasps.

This was a game that Pedro Caixinha’s side could easily have won, and easily have lost. The sides could not be separated, but a winner will have to be found when they do it all over again in the Betfred Cup on Tuesday night. That one is must win for Caixinha.

The Gers boss made just one change from the side that started against County last weekend as Josh Windass replaced Niko Kranjcar on the left of midfield. There was no place in the squad for the Croatian, although Declan John was stripped for the first time following his move from Cardiff City on deadline day.

The Welshman has played little football recently as he has fallen down the Bluebirds pecking order but he has insisted he hasn’t arrived at Ibrox to replace skipper Lee Wallace in the team. After just eleven minutes, he was deputising at left-back, though.

It had been a frantic start to proceedings at Firhill as both sides showed early attacking intent but Rangers would suffer a blow before they landed the first one on Thistle.

Wallace went down on the edge of the Jags area and appeared to be in some discomfort. When he crouched to the turf for a second time, his night was over.

John received a warm welcome from the Light Blue legions but it was another summer recruit whose name they were soon chanting as Morelos fired Caixinha’s side in front.

The striker has quickly become a firm favourite with supporters this term and he took his tally to eight goals in six matches with another clinical finish here.

Ryan Jack dispossessed Blair Spittal and fed the ball wide to Morelos. He picked his spot with aplomb as he fired a shot across Ryan Scully and into the corner of the net.

It was another moment to savour for the Colombian and an important one for Caixinha as his side took control of proceedings after just 18 minutes.

Having got themselves in front, the Gers went in search of the second goal that would have killed off Thistle’s hopes of ending their wait for a derby win on home soil.

Alan Archibald’s side had brief moments when they threatened but too often their attacking intentions came to a premature end as passes went astray or moves broke down. A Chris Erskine shot that was ballooned over the bar was as close as the hosts would come in the first half.

Rangers couldn’t capitalise, though. Josh Windass saw his shot blocked after Morelos picked out Miller at the back post and he headed the ball down into the path of the Englishman.

He had another chance in the final seconds of the half but a cross from James Tavernier just evaded him as Rangers returned to the dressing room just one goal ahead.

Midfielder Jack was fortunate that he was able to head back with the rest of his team-mates. A crunching tackle from Ryan Edwards had left him writhing in pain but he recovered after receiving treatment for a couple of anxious minutes for Caixinha.

Jack has been an integral and impressive part of the Gers side this term and the Portuguese would have been relieved to see the 26-year-old get back to his feet as Edwards escaped unpunished.

Rangers deserved their advantage at the interval but it didn’t take long for Thistle to wipe it out after the action got back underway.

Fabio Cardoso gave away a needless free-kick on the edge of the area and Spittal succeeded where Daniel Candeias had earlier failed for the Gers as deflected free-kick left Foderingham with no chance.

The Firhill crowd had a reason to cheer and Thistle had a spring in their step as Rangers looked to regroup and recover.

Caixinha made his first change shortly afterwards as Eduardo Herrera replaced Miller but it was Archibald’s side that were looking more likely to get the third goal of the night. On the hour mark, they did just that.

Spittal beat the offside trap to burst in behind the Gers defence and his cross from the right evaded everyone in blue. Erskine was in the right place at the right time as he tapped the ball home to put Thistle on course for a famous victory.

Caixinha’s next roll of the dice was Carlos Pena as he took over from Jack but the clock was against Rangers as they looked to salvage something from an entertaining affair.

They were given hope when Erskine saw red for a reckless lunge on Morelos in the middle of the park. It was a moment of madness from the winger as referee Willie Collum was left with no choice but to send the Jags scorer off.

The final stages were going to be long and hard-fought for Archibald’s side. They couldn’t stand firm.

With 15 minutes remaining, Graham Dorrans pulled Rangers level in style. He picked the ball up on the edge of the area and waited to work himself some space before curling an effort into the top corner of Scully’s net.

Rangers piled forward in search of a winner as the ball was launched into the Thistle area from all angles. There was no way through, however.

It was a night that offered Rangers an opportunity. It was one Caixinha’s side couldn’t take.