There was precious little Christmas cheer for the long-suffering Dundee United fans as their side were edged out by Partick Thistle at Tannadice.
The defeat combined with Motherwell’s win over Dundee means the Tangerines are now eight points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership table.
United boss Mixu Paatelainen handed a debut to former Borussia Dortmund and West Ham midfielder Guy Demel with John Rankin dropping to the bench where he was joined by skipper Sean Dillon who was replaced by a fit-again Callum Morris.
United suffered a big setback in just the 10th minute when Florent Sinama Pongolle fell to the turf clutching his hamstring with the Frenchman immediately signalling that his game was over and he was replaced by Charlie Telfer.
There was plenty of honest endeavour on show but little in the way of flair or invention as the half progressed with both goalkeepers in more danger of catching a cold instead of shots on target.
Indeed, the only opportunity even remotely worthy of mention in the opening 45 fell to Blair Spittal when he latched onto a through ball by Billy Mckay but he shot well over.
Four minutes after the restart, Thistle keeper Tomas Cerny finally had a save to make when Paul Dixon hit a thunderbolt long-range shot which the goalie could only parry.
However, the home side were stunned when Partick took the lead in the 51st minute with their first chance of the match when Kris Doolan hit a shot on the turn low past Michal Szromnik from 12 yards.
United then had another big scare when a Steven Lawless cross from the left took a deflection and hit off Szronmik’s post.
The Tangerines had a great opportunity to equalise on the hour mark when they capitalised on a Thistle error with Telfer playing in fellow sub Rankin but he dragged his shot wide of Cerny’s far post.
United had a big shout for a penalty in the 83rd minute when the ball appeared to strike Liam Lindsay’s hand inside the Thistle box but referee Steven McLean was not interested.
In stoppage time, sub Chris Erskine had a chance for glory but his shot was saved at the second attempt by Cerny to ensure his side held on to take all three points.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.