CONRAD BALATONI is 'baffled' by Partick Thistle's inconsistent form after the Jags turned on the style to ease to victory against St Johnstone on Saturday.

Alan Archibald's side moved another step closer to Premiership safety with a comfortable 3-0 win at Firhill.

Victory for the Jags moves them six points clear of Ross County and nine in front of eleventh-placed Motherwell in the top flight standings as attentions turn to the visit of Inverness Caley Thistle this weekend.

And Balatoni is confident they have what it takes to secure their Premiership status sooner rather than later after recording their second win in three matches.

He said: "We know in the dressing room we have enough quality to steer ourselves clear of any relegation battle.

"If we just add that little bit of consistency between now and the end of the season and pick up a few more wins, we should be safe.

"I think we have nine cup finals coming up to get as many points as we can.

"We know we have tough games coming up in the next few weeks and then the split.

"We're aware that, if we go into the slit on a high, we can really kick on and get as many points as we can and we also have experience of being down there.

"We had to go Hearts last season and get a win and we did it, so we know we can win games and we're looking for a run.

"It baffles me why we have not won consecutive games this season.

"We've beaten Inverness twice this season already and they've beaten us, but we won't fear them.

"Hopefully, it'll be a decent game and we'll take the confidence from the St Johnstone game and get another three points."

Thistle may be on course to clinch a Premiership spot for a third consecutive season but it has been another frustrating campaign for boss Archibald and his squad.

A number of points have again slipped through their grasps as missed opportunities have cost them dear and edged them closer to the foot of the table.

The Jags remain seven points adrift of Kilmarnock following their win against St Mirren but Balatoni reckons things are looking up at Firhill.

He said: "I don't think there is any question we have one of the better squads in the league.

"People may disagree with me, but that's what I believe and it is just frustrating coming in and not having back-to-backs wins or consistency.

"The team had a good talk as one after the Ross County game a few weeks ago and some harsh words were spoken.

"I'm sure it stood us in good stead because we've won two from three games since.

"We've beaten Dundee United and St Johnstone, teams that people don't think we should be beating.

"But we've shown we are one of the better teams and we want to be creeping up the table."

A week after going down 1-0 in Dingwall, Thistle responded in fine fashion on Saturday as they flew out of the traps at Firhill and brushed the Saints aside.

Headers from Kris Doolan and Balatoni got the Jags off to the perfect start before Stuart Bannigan capped a fine performance with a sweet strike from the edge of the area.

It was a significant step in the right direction for Thistle and Balatoni was pleased with an encouraging showing at both ends of the park.

He said: "They don't ship goals easily, so to go 2-0 up inside nine minutes made it vital we held on and we added a third with a clean sheet, too.

"When their chance came just before half-time, we realised at the interval that the next goal was going to be vital or we couldn't afford to concede.

"We got it and also didn't concede, so it was good all round.

"Had they made it 2-1, it might have been backs against the wall, but we limited them to very few chances and we played well."