Collins John scored early in the second half but Fulham had to settle for a draw at Firhill Stadium after Partick Thistle fought back impressively, with trialist Armand One grabbing a deserved equaliser on his debut.
The hosts had the first chance when Juan Ramon Escalas and One linked up impressively but Emmanuel Panther’s shot flew high over the bar. Stephen Pinkowski had an outstanding game in the Thistle goal and bravely blocked at the feet of John after the Dutch striker had sped away from Kenny Milne. Pinkowski then produced an even better save to thwart Andy Cole after a corner had fell invitingly for the veteran striker.
The Jags created openings of their own. One hit the outside of the post with a deflected drive from 20 yards before Milne fired wide from the ensuing corner. Both sides made a plethora of changes at half time but John, one of the men who stayed on, pounced right at the beginning of the second half – powering away from the Partick defence after being picked out by Sylvain Legwinski and impressively rounding Pinkowski to give Fulham the lead.
The young goalkeeper kept Thistle in the game when he clawed away an Ian Pearce header from Luis Boa Morte’s left wing and the First Division side then put Fulham under some serious pressure. Fulton shot fractionally wide and Escalas was just off target with a drive before One guided home a Derek Fleming cross to grab a deserved equaliser.
Both sides had chances to win it. Pinkowski denied John and Tomasz Radzinski with summer signing Claus Jensen particularly prominent after being introduced with eighteen minutes left. Thistle came close to pinching a famous victory late on when Adam Strachan’s venomously volley was well saved by Mark Crossley in the Fulham goal..
PARTICK THISTLE (4-3-3): Pinkowski; B. Gibson (Howie), Milne (Fleming), Murray (Dowie), Wilkinson; A. Ross, Panther, Fulton (Gutiemez); Oné (Britton), Escalas, Strachan.
GOAL: One (68).
FULHAM (4-4-2) Crossley; Rosenior (Volz 45), Bonnissel (Bocanegra 70), Pearce, Goma; Legwinski (Jensen 72), McKinlay (Rehman 77), Pratley, Boa Morte (Pembridge 70); Cole (McBride 45), John (Radzinski 70).
GOAL: John (49).
