KRIS DOOLAN’S 300th appearance for Partick Thistle was ruined by linesman Andrew McWilliam who prevented the Maryhill side from ending 2016 as a top-six side.

Having had a goal disallowed in the first half – quite correctly – the Partick striker was denied again 14 minutes into the second half when McWilliam controversially flagged him offside after he headed past Jamie MacDonald.

Everyone in the Jags camp believed the goal should have stood as Doolan came from behind Gary Dicker to connect with Stevie Lawless’s cross.

It would have meant three wins on the spin for Alan Archibald’s side and although he was deflated by the result, he was philosophical given the fact that a week ago Thistle were bottom of the table.

They have been edged out of the top half by Ross County as a result of Jim McIntyre’s side’s win in the Highland derby but overall Archibald has been pleased with his side’s recent run of form.

He said: “I have not seen the goals that were ruled out again. I thought the first one was definitely offside but I thought the second one was in line. But, some you get and some you don’t. It is very close to be fair. I thought we looked tired in the second half. We have had five games in 15 days and the conditions didn’t help us. But, we are delighted where we are because we were bottom just over a week ago.”

The result may have been scoreless but that was not for a lack of trying by Doolan, who was released by Kilmarnock as a youngster. He had the ball in the net after just two minutes when MacDonald spilled a powerful Chris Erskine left foot shot and Stevie Lawless was quickly on to the rebound.

He picked out Doolan but the striker had strayed a yard too far forward as he swept the ball into the net.

MacDonald was scrambling again in 10 minutes when Doolan tested him with a 20-yard right foot shot and even this early it looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for Killie.

They had a spell when Dean Hawkshaw forced Tomas Cerny into a smart save in 17 minute then Soulemayne Coulibaly had a shot deflected over a minute later.

But Partick were the better side and should have been ahead before half-time but could not apply the finishing touch to some fine play. They deserved a goal in 40 minutes. Lawless was the creator with a brilliant spin turn and clever pass to Doolan. Looking odds-on to score, MacDonald blocked his shot then Chris Erskine’s rebound was deflected wide for a corner.

Doolan had the ball in the net again in 59 minutes but he had already been flagged offside before he headed Callum Booth’s cross past MacDonald.

Killie had offered very little but they nearly caught Thistle out in 67 minutes when Flo Bojaj missed a fantastic chance to steal the lead.

Charlee Adams’ diagonal ball to the back post was hit back across goal by Coulibaly and from only two yards out the Albanian striker shot over the bar as he stretched.

It was a massive let-off and it gave Killie renewed belief that they might just snatch an unlikely win.

With six minutes remaining an unmarked Coulibaly sent a header wide of the right post.

It was a brave point for Killie, who fielded an unusual centre-back pairing of Dicker and teenager Iain Wilson as a result of injuries and manager Lee Clark was pleased to get a point on the road.

He said: “We were very depleted and I had to throw in young boys“A point away from home is never a bad result. Now the players can recharge and we can look forward to getting the likes of Kris Boyd, Rory McKenzie, and Miles Addison back in a few weeks coupled with some potential incomings.”