Both defences showed stubborn resistance to ensure this evening’s encounter ended in a stalemate.
The best chance fell to Partick’s Steven Lawless, who found Inverness goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams equal to his effort with a diving save on to the post midway through the second-half.
The hosts’ search for a victory this season continues, with Partick defending resolutely to combat the Highlanders’ threat.
Partick were the hosts’ archetypal bogey team last season, winning all three league encounters between the sides, including a thumping 4-0 victory in the last meeting at Caledonian Stadium. Thistle, like Inverness, were looking for their first victory of the season having taken a point from their opening fixture against Hamilton.
Inverness remained unchanged from the side that was pegged back in the last minute for a 1-1 draw against St Johnstone on Saturday. Manager John Hughes has not had his selection issues to seek this season, but they began to show signs of easing last night, with new signing Iain Vigurs added to the bench after completing his return to the Highlands earlier in the day, while left back Carl Tremarco was back from a thigh injury to take his place amongst the substitutes bench.
In Tremarco’s absence, Danny Williams continues to occupy the role vacated by Graeme Shinnie following the captain’s summer move to Aberdeen, and he showed early intent to burst forward against the Jags, playing a neat ball through for Dani Lopez who saw his shot well blocked by Liam Lindsay.
Partick attacker Mathias Pogba was eager to make an impression after being handed his first start, however the Guinea international lasted only 18 minutes of the action, as he limped off to be replaced by Kris Doolan.
Both sides lacked spark in attack, however Thistle came mightily close to taking the lead on 25 minutes when Stuart Bannigan’s cross was flicked on by David Amoo, with Sean Welsh running in at the far post to head goalwards, his effort grazing the bar on its way over.
Welsh was emerging as a prominent midfield threat for the visitors, and moments later he sent a long-range effort narrowly over goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams’ crossbar.
A sprinkler was accidentally triggered towards the end of a first-half that had already lacked rhythm. Thistle came close to taking the lead on the stroke of the interval, when substitute Doolan’s low shot from 20 yards was turned wide by Fon Williams. From the resulting corner, Abdul Osman headed wide.
Inverness started with good intentions at the beginning of the second-half, however their final ball lacked the quality to threaten the Jags defence. Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo picked up from where he left off in his first two appearances, showing nice footwork but unable to translate it into a serious goal threat.
There had been precious little to enthuse the 3,141 supporters, but ironically the deadlock was nearly broken by the visitors in spectacular fashion. Welsh released Steven Lawless, and he saw his 20-yard snapshot superbly tipped on to the bar by Fon Williams, who again came to Caley Jags’ rescue having saved a penalty from Scott McDonald in Inverness’ last home fixture against Motherwell.
Vigurs was introduced into the action in place of Lewis Horner on 64 minutes, marking his return to the club he left for Highland rivals Ross County in 2009. The midfielder was keen to make an instant impression, although he would not have been looking to catch the eye of referee Stephen Finnie as early as he did, earning a booking for a heavy challenge on Osman just two minutes into his second debut.
The introduction of Vigurs did inject more speed into Inverness’ attack, and he was involved in setting up a chance for Williams, who cut in from the left but drilled just past Tomas Cerny’s post.
The addition of Vigurs means Caley Thistle now have a major left footed threat from dead balls, to accompany that of the right footed Greg Tansey, and the new recruit offered a glimpse of his offerings with a 25-yard free-kick that forced Cerny to dive low to his right to beat the ball away.
Williams had shown impressive desire to assist Inverness’ attack, but could have done better when Ryan Christie found him in acres of space, before he shot straight at the legs of Cerny.
Englishman Williams showed his defensive capabilities to match moments later, tracking back to halt substitute David Wilson’s clear run at goal.
Mutombo was thwarted by a last-ditch challenge by Frederic Frans in the dying moments, as the game ended goal-less.