KALLUM HIGGINBOTHAM admits inconsistency could cost Partick Thistle a top-six finish after they threw away another two points against Dundee on Saturday.

After turning in arguably their best performance of the campaign to see off Inverness last weekend, the Jags were seconds away from finally ending their wait to land back-to-back Premiership wins at Firhill.

Alan Archibald's side were once again denied at the death, however, as Conrad Balatoni's own goal earned Dundee a share of the spoils.

James Craigen had put the Jags ahead just before the hour mark as Higginbotham and Ryan Stevenson combined well and the midfielder finished from close range.

But when chances to kill the game off came and went, there was to be another late blow for Thistle as Philip Roberts' cross deflected off Balatoni and ended up in the back of Paul Gallacher's net.

The Firhill stalemate leaves Thistle ninth in the Premiership standings and six points adrift of a place in the top half after St Johnstone's triumph over Inverness.

Higginbotham said: "The way we played, I think we thoroughly deserved the three points.

"It is frustrating because we have got the quality to be in the top six but we can't put a run together.

"It is hard because it was a great chance for us to leapfrog them and Kilmarnock.

"We came so close to it but again it is another last-minute goal. We will dust ourselves down and go again at Motherwell and hopefully pick the three points up.

"We were in total control of the game. I don't think Gall has had a save to make apart from the header, I can't think of anything else has had to do throughout the game.

"We felt comfortable and we had a few chances on the break, myself, Gary Fraser and James would probably put them away on another day.

"That is what happens in this league, if you don't take your chances then you are going to get punished."

Thistle have seen decent performances not yield maximum points on several occasions this season as they have been left frustrated in their bid for a lofty league finish.

St Johnstone, Killie and the Dees have all left Firhill undefeated in the last few weeks as the Jags have missed chances to move up the Premiership standings.

And Higginbotham knows they must start stringing results together if they are to break into the top six this term.

He said: "It is definitely two points dropped rather than one point gained.

"None of the lads are happy about it but the game is gone now and there is nothing we can do.

"We will move on to Motherwell and hopefully we can pick up the three points there and start climbing up the league.

"We need to put some sort of run together if we want to finish in the top six, which I think we have got more than enough quality to do.

"You saw that last week against a very good Inverness side but we are not putting the run together that we will need to finish in the top six at the minute.

"If we go and win next week then it looks like a good point and it will be three games unbeaten. We need to start seeing out games. It is just so frustrating."