There was some street theatre introduced at Firhill for the half-time entertainment but by that stage the Firhill crowd had been less than thrilled by a bit of slapstick that had saw them head into the interval trailing.

Hamilton Accies had the lead after a bizarre own-goal from Jack McMillan.

Hamilton’s Scott Martin’s ball forward carried no inherent danger and nor was there any menace lurking around goalkeeper David Mitchell but his rushed clearance came off the stomach of defender McMillan and then arched over the keeper and into the net.

“It was a bit of a freak goal but we are really disappointed we didn’t win the game but I’m pleased with the way we played, especially in the second-half,” said McCall afterwards.  “It was a really unfortunate moment as it’s hit off our own man and rolled into the net. I don’t think many others will concede goals like that this season. Full credit to Hamilton, but we thoroughly deserved to win the match. 

“We had two or three great chances in the second-half. When you score late, you can at least say ‘thank god we’ve not lost.’”

McCall has vowed to watch the goal back to ascertain where the fault lies although the ball had seemed to hold up slightly in the grass.

Still, odd own-goals aside the only other criticism of the Jags would have been that they did not show a ruthlessness in the game when they were on top.

They had created three good chances just before conceding while they could have clinched it at the death with substitute Scott Tiffoney coming close and Danny Mullen unlucky not to get a clear shot away just as the whistle blew.

Accies will feel content with the point although one notable aspect for the Lanarkshire side was the introduction of 20-year-old on-loan Fulham striker Jean Pierre Tiehi.

He came on with 17 minutes of regulation time remaining and looks capable of adding a physicality to Accies’ forward line.

“He can be a good addition to the squad,” said Brian Potter, currently acting as temporary assistant to John Rankin. “We have a good squad and I know the manager is still looking for reinforcements to come on. We want to start the season right.

“We only had clearance late last night and we threw him straight into the squad.

“But the manager has spoken to him and was confident about putting him in and the first impression is that he seems like a good lad who is hungry to come and do well. Hopefully he can give us that physical presence up front as well.”