If Inverness are to have any hope of catching Dundee United this is the kind of game they have to win.
After a first half that produced plenty chances but no goals, things really got going after the break with Partick quickly taking the lead before James Keatings brought Caley Thistle level.
Any hopes the visitors might then be able to push on to win the game never materialised and they were behind again just after the hour mark.
The home team’s third goal came at the death but it had been an afternoon with no shortage of scoring opportunities with the team converting most coming out on top.
That’s a second outing against the Maryhill Jags this season that has yielded.
I have mentioned a couple of times this season about the need for Caley Thistle to be consistent. This old pessimist was beginning to think maybe that’s what we were starting to get it, particularly after the previous weekend’s fine win over Ayr. Where they end up in this league will largely depend on how successful they are in that regard and, after what has been a good spell of form.
Saturday’s result may be just a blip or the start of a difficult period – it is hard to interpret which it will be.
We will soon find out as Inverness are staying at home this Christmas with visits from Dunfermline and Arbroath on the next two Saturdays.