ALAN ARCHIBALD reckons the Firhill crowd played a key part in edging Partick Thistle towards Premiership safety on Saturday.

The Jags moved seven points clear of Motherwell with a 2-0 win at Firhill as a bumper crowd saw Lyle Taylor bag a second half brace to see off the Steelmen.

Thistle are now up to eighth in the top flight standings and boss Archibald was grateful for the backing from the stands as the Jags moved to within touching distance of securing their Premiership status.

He said: "There's no doubt that [Saturday's] result gives us a big step towards safety, but the job isn't done yet.

"We need to get our heads down, work hard and make sure we get over that finishing line as soon as possible. Once we have secured our place in the league for next term we can start targeting the teams above us and aim to finish as high in the table as we possibly can.

"The fans played a massive role as well and I want to give them a special mention. They were magnificent at Celtic Park on Wednesday night and were fantastic again [on Saturday].

"They've turned out to back us in a massive game and it was a big boost for the players on the park.

"I can only hope that we can count on them to help us over the line in our remaining home games because they have been phenomenal all season."

With four wins from their last seven outings, Thistle have found their form at just the right time as they have kept their noses in front of the chasing pack.

And Archibald is keen to keep up the Firhill feel-good factor ahead of the final five games this term.

"The confidence and momentum we're carrying just now is going to be crucial going into those final five games," he told ptfc.co.uk

"It's a happy dressing room at the moment and there is a good feel around the club in general. We just need to make sure we carry both the confidence and momentum through the break and into the final leg of the season."