GUTTED Paul Gallacher admits Partick Thistle need to get out of their mid-season slump sooner rather than later to avoid a nervy end to the campaign.

Alan Archibald's side were left distraught at the weekend as Dundee nicked all three points at Dens Park thanks to Paul McGowan's last gasp winner.

The Jags saw a number of chances come and go on Tayside but were comfortable throughout as they improved from their recent shock showings against St Mirren and Inverness Caley Thistle.

Archibald's side are seven points clear of the Saints and Motherwell and ten ahead of Ross County at the foot of the Premiership standings.

Gallacher said: "We have not been winning games, so of course the confidence is a bit low.

"But the performance, over the peace, was strong and we defended well.

"It was just that lapse in concentration, we didn't take our chance and didn't defend it well enough and the ball was in the back of our net. That is how quickly football can change.

"We went from a well earned point to getting nothing. We are absolutely gutted.

"We are very aware of the situation that we find ourselves in and we need to avoid getting dragged into that relegation battle.

"We have got games between now and the split where we can do that.

"We are under no illusions that it is going to be a very difficult task for ourselves and to make life a bit easier for us. We were in it last year and it is not nice.

"Everyone thought Hibs were fine and look what happened to them. We don't want to be like Hibs and get dragged into that dogfight."

It was Gallacher who was beaten in the final seconds as McGowan bundled the ball over the line to earn Paul Hartley's side a dramatic win.

The keeper was dropped for the visit of Celtic in midweek but got a quickfire call to return to duty after deputy Scott Fox was forced off at the break.

Gallacher said: "I am back in at Foxy's expense. He has got a thigh injury but I thought he done well.

"His kicking was good, even with the injury, and he made a good save before he came off at half-time.

"I am gutted for him but it opens the door again for me to go in.

"I don't know the severity of his injury, we will assess that over the next couple of days and see what happens next week."