ARBROATH missed out on the chance to move to the heady heights of second top of the Championship but gave further notice they are a side to be reckoned with this campaign.

At the same time further pressure was heaped on Jags manager Gary Caldwell, who is still looking for his first league win of the season.

Caldwell said: "It's frustrating. It's not good enough. I thought we were excellent for 20 minutes in the second half and got a goal and then decided to go back to our first-half performance and not pass the ball. It's disappointing."

The Red Lichties, with just three defeats in their opening nine games in all competitions, were brimming with confidence and after just three minutes defender Thomas O'Brien strode forward and unleashed a shot from fully 35 yards, forcing Jags goalkeeper Scott Fox into a spectacular save to turn the ball over.

Five minutes later Ricky Little launched a downfield pass to Bobby Linn wide on the left. He picked out David Gold, but his header from 12 yards dipped over.

The Firhill outfit, suffering from a severe bout of inconsistency, and three successive defeats, after an opening day draw at Alloa, gave former Queen's Park Rangers defender Osman Kakay a debut, in a bit to shore up a defence leaking goals.

But it was Dick Campbell's side who were in total command throughout the first half and in 13 minutes Linn saw his 28 yard free-kick turned onto a post by Fox, before Arbroath finally and deservedly wet in front 60 seconds later. A corner from the left was not properly cleared and Linn, who was at the forefront of everything for the Angus side, whipped over a cross from the left for defender Jason Thomson to outjump a static Jags rearguard and power a downward header int the net from eight yards.

Caldwell added: "People don't do what we ask them. I was considering sub after 15 minutes but every single player could have come off. The performance and the mentality is the worrying thing and I will accept the responsibility."

Arbroath, who have settled into Championship life well since their promotion last season, and have already seen off Dundee United in the Challenge Cup, threatened to over run the desperate and struggling Maryhill outfit. In 28 minutes Linn again was given too much time and space to burst forward but his 25 yard curling right foot effort drifted wide of Fox's left hand post.

Arbroath, with four clean sheets in their last five outings, were not prepared to surrender their impressive record and in 32 minutes goalkeeper Darren Jamieson made a terrific block at his nearpost from Joe Cardle after a clever set up by veteran Kenny Miller.

The Gayfield men wasted no time in responding and in 35 minutes Colin Hamilton found Gold in space. He turned sharply but was just off target with his low 20 yard drive.

Arbroath were a joy to watch on what was a superb playing surface and two minutes later only another fantastic save by Fox prevented Michael McKenna from doubling their lead with an angled chip from 16 yards.

Thistle were insipid in the first period and arguably their best opportunity came deep in stoppage time when a long ball from half-way by Thomas O'Ware was almost turned into his own net by O'Brien.

The Jags showed a bit more spirit after the break and in 55 minutes James Penrice linked well with Cardle, but his crisp 20 yard volley was wide of the mark.

Sometimes it takes a bit of inspiration to inject life into the previously lacklustre Jags and that was supplied by the introduction in 63 minutes of Lewis Mansell. He was only on the pitch two minutes when he laid the ball back perfectly to Miller, who rifled the ball low past Jamieson from 18 yards.

Caldwell went on: "I believe we have a good group of players, we just need the mentality to win. It was a brilliant goal by Kenny but too little."

Thistle nearly snatched the winner five minutes from time but Jamieson produced a splendid save from Reece Cole's 19 yard free-kick.

Substitute Lewis Donnelly netted for Arbroath in stoppage time but was ruled offside.

Lichties boss Campbell said: "I have had a look at it on TV and it was well onside. That might well have been have been the difference but I'm not unhappy with a draw.

"You can't leave guys alone like Kenny Miller, but it's all about staying in this league. We want this place to be a fortress.

"We have taken eight out of 15 as a part-time, but nothing is won before March."