Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara was frustrated that his side could only manage a goalless draw against Partick Thistle to kick off the new Scottish Premiership season.
However, he accepted that had the Tangerines taken all three points home with them then it would have been hard on the newly-promoted Jags.
Plenty of chances were created at Firhill by both teams but neither side could get the winner they craved.
The Tangerines, who were supported by a 3,000-strong travelling army, didn’t play too badly but there were some scary moments at the back and wayward finishing at the other end.
It was supposed to be a grudge match, with Jags fans meant to be keen to hurl abuse at McNamara for leaving them in January to go to Tannadice.
As it turned out, there wasn’t anything to worry about on that score.
There was some tough tackling on the pitch, though, with a particularly meaty one in the second half from United’s Calum Butcher on opponent Gary Fraser probably meriting a red card when it got a yellow.
Also, in the space of a few seconds United saw Ryan Dow, Paul Paton and Gary Mackay-Steven get chopped without anything being done by referee Craig Thomson.
McNamara would have preferred all three points, obviously but he thought a draw was probably about right.
He said: “I thought it was end to end and a good advert for the new league.
“We created enough chances to win it and maybe should have been more clinical.
“We were a bit sloppy in the final third but the lads gave everything they had and it could have gone either way.
“On a personal level, I was delighted to come back here, although disappointed not to have gotten the three points.
“I felt fine coming in and walking to the dugout with all the United fans there behind me.
“I wasn’t surprised there were so many because they were great at both Dunfermline and Wigan. I just wish we had given them the win.”
Partick keeper Scott Fox added: “We were unlucky not to win. I don’t think most teams will enjoy coming here.”