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Dundee United extended their Scottish Championship lead to 17 points despite being held by Partick Thistle.

Robbie Neilson's side, who have won just once in seven in the league, led through Dillon Powers' curling effort.

But Thistle, for whom Brian Graham and Tam O'Ware spurned first-half chances, levelled through Stuart Bannigan's penalty after Tommy Robson was tripped.

Despite the point, Ian McCall's side remain bottom, three behind Queen of the South with a game in hand.

The Firhill side are now six adrift of 10th-placed Alloa Athletic, having played two games fewer, after they beat United's closest challengers Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Given that result, United could have gone even further clear with a win, but Ian Harkes, Paul McMullan and Lawrence Shankland all had efforts saved by Thistle goalkeeper Scott Fox.

Dundee United head coach Robbie Neilson: "We struggled a wee bit to get going but the objective is to get promoted and we've gained another point with eight games to go.

"When you come to the start of the season and pitches are great you can pop it about and the boys are fresh. Right now, it's just that final moment."

Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall: "I think the team is a lot better than it was. Whether it is going to be enough, time will tell.

"We had three glorious chances that we missed, two of them before Dundee United scored. We did well to get back into it. The very least we deserved was a point."