START as you mean to go on.

The message from Jackie McNamara would have been a simple one to his Partick Thistle players as they kicked off what they hope will be a season to remember in the Irn-Bru First Division.

By the end of the day, they had their first win on the board, courtesy of a 3-1 success against Falkirk that will only raise the expectations of the bumper Firhill crowd.

A Kris Doolan brace and strike from summer signing Steven Lawless had the Jags make the perfect start to their season in front of nearly 3,500 fans at Firhill.

McNamara admitted the overall performance could have been better against Steven Pressley's side, but the Thistle boss had little complaint about the result or the never-say-die attitude of his players.

He said: "It wasn't a surprise, I know the boys have got the ability and said that to them at the start of the season.

"Last year it was possibly down to belief. Again, confidence comes with winning games and we want to keep that going.

"We have added the right players to help that mentality.

"We have a lot of young players but they are all hungry, similar to Falkirk.

"They don't give up. There were a few times last year where I felt we just accepted it.

"Now, I feel the boys will give everything they have got.

"We can't play well in every game. I know we can play better than Saturday, but they gave everything they had.

"That is something you can't coach, it is just desire.

"There are a lot of boys in the team just now with that and for me that is a very pleasing thing. It is a desire to get the ball back and not to lose anything."

Despite Lawless and Doolan firing Thistle into a 2-0 lead after just seven minutes, McNamara's men had to wait some time to be sure of the points against a Falkirk side eager to get their championship challenge off to a positive start.

Bairns striker Lyle Taylor pulled a goal back just after the break to give them hope.

However, when Doolan netted his second of the game, bundling the ball over the line from a Sean Welsh knockdown, victory was secured for the Jags.

McNamara said: "I think we could have played better at times.

"I have to give Falkirk credit, when we went 2-0 up they could have dropped it but they put us under a bit of pressure.

"I thought we stopped passing the ball and were a bit anxious.

"They got the goal at the start of the second half but the pleasing thing was that we got the third and gave ourselves breathing space.

"I am happy with the lads' attitude and desire, and the three points more importantly."

It was not just a good day on the field for Thistle, with the Jags fans making their own impact from the stands.

The club have opened the North Stand for home supporters this season, and McNamara was grateful for the added backing.

He said: "I think it was a great advertisement for our league. Falkirk came with a lot of young players and passed the ball as well and tried to do things the right way.

"There was a good crowd, I thought our support was fantastic. We have moved some across behind the goal and the whole game was good."