CHRIS ERSKINE is sure Partick Thistle have what it takes to win the Irn-Bru First Division.

Now the Firhill maverick admits it is time the Jags displayed their championship credentials once again after ending their festive slump in style with a 4-1 win over Falkirk.

Victory over the Bairns was the first Jackie McNamara's side have recorded on league duty since beating Raith Rovers at home on December 15.

Defeats to Morton and Dumbarton and draws at Airdrie and Livingston have seen Thistle fall five points adrift of table- topping Ton heading into the second half of the season.

Erskine said: "Every game is massive for us, especially when you see how tight it is at the top. It is vital that we look to win every single game. We slipped up in a couple of games over Christmas and New Year and it was important that we got back on track against Falkirk.

"We have two games with Cowdenbeath coming up now and we want to get six points from them. The heads did go down a wee bit recently. If you lose a few games on the bounce then you can get in a habit of losing and thankfully we have avoided that.

"We know in the dressing-room that we are a good squad, probably the best in the First Division.

"We know our goal at the end of the season is to be top of the league. We were always confident in ourselves that we would get back playing well and winning games again."

There have been murmurs of discontent among the red and yellow legions as Thistle squandered points to the two relegation battlers in quick succession and a lead was surrendered at Almondvale.

Saturday's impressive display against the Bairns would undoubtedly have renewed optimism around Firhill and Erskine has urged the Jags faithful to stick with McNamara's young side.

He said: "The fans have been great so far. When we were on that bad run we were getting a bit of stick but I think the majority see what we are trying to do and that we are a good team.

"Hopefully by the end of the season we will be top of the league. It is really important that they back us, it plays a big part in the players' confidence. We need them to continue backing us and hopefully we can repay their support.

"We are trying to play a passing game and not just hoof the ball long, but there are going to be moments where we give the ball away or try something that doesn't work. It doesn't always come off, but I am sure the fans understand that."

Meanwhile, Steven Lawless faces a month on the sidelines after fracturing his cheekbone.

Thistle's home game against Morton has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, April 10, at 7.45pm.