There is never a good time to concede a goal, but Caley Thistle were on the wrong end of two sucker punches at Firhill on Saturday.
The Inverness men played some great football during the opening period and were deservedly in front thanks to Miles Storey’s early goal.
But that good work was undone three minutes before the break when Kris Doolan was afforded too much room to score an equaliser.
Partick grew in confidence as the game wore on, but John Hughes’ side looked set to escape with a point until conceding a calamitous goal in the final minute of the match.
Ryan Stevenson sent a hopeful ball in the direction of Partick attacker Mathias Pogba but the cross evaded everyone – including Caley Thistle goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams – and nestled in the back of the net.
It would have been a long journey back to Inverness for the visitors following the most fortuitous of goals.
Both Partick and Caley Thistle have started to show consistency in recent weeks following slow starts to the season.
This was evident in the first half with both teams passing with confidence.
This was Caley Thistle’s first match without Ryan Christie, who has returned to parent club Celtic after suffering a knee injury in the 3-1 win at Motherwell before the international break.
Danny Williams was given the onerous task of replacing the talented attacking midfielder, who had contributed three goals and six assists to the Caley Thistle cause this season.
But Williams appeared to relish the opportunity of providing support to Storey as Inverness made an excellent start.
Williams provided the key pass for Storey to bag his sixth goal of the season with a calm and composed finish.
But Partick had lost only one of the previous seven meetings against Inverness and were not prepared to give up the points in this encounter without a struggle.
Fon Williams made a superb stop to deny Abdul Osman’s downward header but the Welshman was helpless three minutes before the break when Doolan skipped past a Josh Meekings challenge before unleashing a low drive into the corner of the net.
Partick were the more dominant side after their break but were struggling to find a way past an inspired Fon Williams.
The Inverness goalkeeper made a superb save to deny Steven Lawless before tipping Robbie Muirhead’s effort on the follow up over the bar.
The Welshman would have been devastated by the manner in which he conceded the winner as the visitors departed with nothing to show for their efforts.
John Hughes’ men could have moved into the top six with a victory on Saturday but instead find themselves in eighth position, only three above second bottom Motherwell.
But the Caley Jags should not be looking over their shoulder for long.
The club’s injury problems are finally starting to clear up with Gary Warren and Ross Draper among the substitutes in the strongest bench Hughes has been able to select in several weeks.
However, it won’t be easy for the Caley Jags when champions Celtic come to town next Sunday, eager to make amends after dropping two points against Kilmarnock at the weekend.
The Hoops have a crucial Europa League tie against Ajax to get through before making the trip to the Highlands but it will be another tough test for a Caley Thistle side that has not been hitting the target enough this season.
While they boast one of the better defensive records in the league, only four teams have scored fewer goals than Inverness’ return of 16 from 15 matches.
As for Partick Thistle, this win moved them out of the dreaded play-off place on goal difference and they look capable of pushing further up the table.
Mustapha Dumbuya, their right back from Sierra Leone, certainly caught the eye with an impressive display on Saturday.
Partick probably shaded this contest, but the manner of the late blow was a sore one.