ROSS FORBES admits he could not have realised his Partick Thistle dream without the financial backing of his family.

The midfielder last week agreed an extension to his Jags deal that will keep him at Firhill until the end of the Irn-Bru First Division season and celebrated by helping the league leaders to a 2-0 win over Livingston.

Forbes had been playing for free for Jackie McNamara's side in recent weeks but after a number of eye-catching performances, the Thistle boss has moved to tie up the former Motherwell youngster on a longer term contract.

Forbes said: "I am delighted to have signed a new deal. I originally signed until January and I had to wait and see what would happen but the gaffer said there would be a deal there if I impressed so I have to thank him.

"I know that I am settled until the end of the season now, which is great.

"I am really enjoying my time here, it is the most I have enjoyed football for a few years. It is a great place to be at the moment.

"I have been playing for appearance money and win bonuses for the last few weeks but now I have got a wage and a bit more security.

"It takes its toll sometimes not having a wage but my family has helped me through it a lot so I have got them to thank. If I didn't have them, I might not have been able to do it."

The capture of Forbes until the end of the campaign further strengthens McNamara's squad as he bids to lead his side to title glory.

The Jags maintained their place at the top of the table with a hard-fought victory over Livi on Saturday, with second half goals from Aaron Sinclair and Stuart Bannigan enough to see off Gareth Evans' side and continue their stunning Firhill form.

Forbes said: "We had chances in the first half and if we had taken them it could have been a different game. Once we got the goal, we were confident we were going to win.

"The boys enjoy playing at Firhill and the fans have made a big impact this season.

"They turn up in their numbers and make themselves heard and it can make a big difference when you have that support from the stands.

"Our form has been great at home but we need to keep that up, we can't afford any slip-ups. We dropped three points at Hamilton and that allowed Dunfermline to close the gap again.

"We just need to concentrate on ourselves and keep winning. There is always pressure, we put pressure on ourselves to win.

"You can't think about what the other teams are doing. Us getting the win is the most important thing. We can't look at anyone else. We just need to keep winning and collecting the points."

Next up for the Jags is a Scottish Cup clash with nearest promotion rivals Dunfermline on Saturday.

The Pars were thumped 5-1 at Firhill on First Division duty earlier this month and Forbes knows Jim Jefferies' side will be out for cup revenge this weekend.

He said: "They will be hurting and they will want to show a reaction. I am sure the manager will have them fired up for it. But we want to progress. It doesn't matter if it is 1-0 or 5-1, getting into the next round is the most important thing. In any cup competition, it is about getting through."