By the 20th minute, Bapel had stopped two shots with his legs, one of them Kieran Venema's penalty kick, given after a United player hit the deck following a challenge in the area.
In the 21st, referee Andy Parker, of Tikokino, booked Ventre for a bad tackle.
Rodriguez was making numerous dangerous forays down the left, showing good skill and pace in a standout performance.
In the 33rd minute, Thompson put United ahead with a tap-in at the far post from a corner.
In the 42nd, Cranswick turned Daniel Venema and headed for goal. Venema caught him and got a tackle in. Moments later, Martos got a vital headed touch to a right-wing cross that was on its way to Josh Adams.
In the first half, Thistle looked the more urgent side, but United looked more dangerous. It was exhilarating, end-to-end fare, with skills aplenty.
Thistle brought on fullbacks Emerson Araya and Kuba Jerabek, took off Ashley McMillan and Ventre, and pushed Martos into midfield.
In the 47th minute, Adams latched on to a long ball and made it 2-0.
In the 57th, Thistle pulled one back through Nick Land. It was the signal for relentless Thistle pressure, but United funnelled back and absorbed it. Higham's speed was invaluable, Scammell tracked runners well and Thompson was strong in the air.
Jerabek was booked in the 74th for a late tackle. Eight minutes later his 25-metre shot brought a save from Piper. From the resulting inswinging Ure corner, Thompson headed clear from under the bar.
In the 88th, Adams's second goal (United's third) put the result to bed.
