At 3.02, it seemed like just another Saturday afternoon at Firhill. Partick Thistle were trailing and Dick Campbell, the team manager, was being advised from the stand to seek alternative employment: a new year, but some things alter little. But this time they did.

Gretna were blown up the M74 and arrived at the old Glasgow stadium later than anticipated, but they wasted no time in inflicting calamity on their opponents, going two goals up in what seemed like a blink of the eye, with Erik Paartalu and prolific striker Colin McMenamin doing the business.

Faced by a team well versed in causing mayhem to opponents whenever possible, the resistance of some teams may well have evaporated.

But Campbell, as he has stated frequently, has vast experience in his profession, and when the transfer window was thrown wide recently, he hired men for positions where once inadequacy lurked.

If you forgave the home lot from being caught flat-footed at the off, Thistle's performance for the remaining 88 minutes was satisfactory, and when Gretna threatened to add to their tally, goalkeeper John Tuffey stood in the way, pulling off one save of the highest standard near the death.

The industrious Derek Young breathed belief back into the hosts when, with the Gretna defenders dithering, he belted the ball home, while just after the intermission and with the opposition pressing forward, Alan Main in the Gretna goal left himself vulnerable to a chip shot, which was executed to perfection by Mark Roberts.

With the scores tied, both teams careered forward on the sodden turf at every opportunity, but a blend of ill luck, over-anxiety or fine goalkeeping meant the scoring had been concluded, and it was time to trudge home.

With regards to Gretna, they are exciting to witness when moving forward, and in McMenamin and David Graham, as they seem to show each week, they have strikers who are an utter pain in the neck to any team's defence. However, at the weekend, there was a vulnerability in their play when possession was surrendered, and although miles clear at the head of the division and heavily odds-on to win the title, the following few months could prove rather interesting for the chasing pack.

The much-maligned Campbell has been aware, and spoken of, his team's deficiencies for ages, but has had to struggle on. Considering the opposition on this occasion, and leaving Thistle's faltering start to one side, there was promise of better to come for Firhill's paying customers.

They pay their money, yell disapproval - mostly at the team manager - when matters go awry but are most vociferous in the good times, and if this latest Thistle display can be added to, the good times could keep on coming.