Dundee United again threw away a lead at Tannadice as Partick Thistle substitute Ricky Waddell earned a 1-1 draw and a share of the points with four minute remaining.

United caretaker-manager Paul Hegarty had watched his chances of taking the role on a more permanent basis begin to slip away when his side lost a two-goal lead against Livingston last week.

But the former Tannadice favourite was cheered when Scotland international Steven Thompson hit home in the 13th minute to give the Tangerines a half time lead.

But the home side were pressed into their own half by a resilient Jags late in the second period before Waddell looped a header over Paul Gallacher.

United had started the game the brighter and there was no surprise when they took the lead.

Stuart Duff crossed from the left and Thompson brushed aside Thistle debutant Daniele Chiarini to bullet a near post header home from eight yards out.

Thistle were reeling as the Tannadice side took control of the game and Jamie Mitchell was switched for Paul Walker immediately after the goal.

The United players were sharper and hungrier in all areas of the pitch as their counterparts struggled to fight back.

But the rest of the half was to be a disappointment.

As the rain lashed down, the conditions became trickier for both sets of players and, although United remained slightly on top, there was little in the way of clear-cut chances.

After the interval, United were keen to hammer home their territorial advantage and went straight on the offensive.

But the game refused to come alive and both sides became embroiled in a midfield battle although Jim McIntyre should have done better when Thompson set him up on the left.

Instead, he hesitated and was robbed of a good shooting opportunity by Thistle defender Stephen Craigan.

In the 52nd minute, following a foul by Chiarini on United midfielder Craig Easton, Kevin McGowne's 25-yard free-kick was well saved by Kenny Arthur at the expense of a corner.

Moments later, Martin Hardie set up Jamie Buchan 16 yards from goal but the ex-United player's shot was parried by Gallacher.

The game settled down again and, in the 57th minute, substitute Walker, who had come on for Mitchell in the first half, was himself substituted for Andy Gibson.

On the hour mark, McIntyre floated a cross from the left which Stephen O'Donnell headed down into the path of Thompson.

The ball sat up nicely for the United striker but he scuffed his shot and it trundled wide of the target.

It was a nervy time for the home side in the closing stages as Thistle went for broke and an Alan Archibald cross from the left flashed past the United crossbar to the relief of the Tannadice fans.

With five minutes to go, there was high drama when Partick equalised through substitute Waddell, who had replaced Buchan only a minute earlier.