PARTICK THISTLE have had to wait patiently for their chance to once again sit proudly at the Irn-Bru First Division summit.

Now striker Steven Lawless is determined the Jags won't let top spot slip through their grasp as the finishing line approaches.

Victory over Cowdenbeath on Wednesday night saw Alan Archibald's side go a point clear in the title race as they leapfrogged promotion rivals Morton, courtesy of a Kris Doolan double and Stephen O'Donnell strike.

It has been a frustrating few months for Thistle as they have seen a number of fixtures fall foul of the prolonged big freeze and Morton continue their impressive form to keep their noses in front in a compelling title tussle.

With their final game in hand over the Ton to come next Tuesday when they face Raith Rovers and their Ramsdens Cup Final with Queen of the South looming large, there is no margin for error for the Jags.

Lawless knows only wins will do, starting with another Cowdenbeath clash tomorrow.

He said: "It has been unfortunate with the way that the games have worked out that we have had to wait a while for the chance to get back to the top of the league.

"We had to take advantage of our games in hand and we have done that so far. It is great to be back in first place.

"I don't know if there is a psychological advantage for us. We never thought about it while Morton were top so I don't know if it will affect the Morton boys.

"We will go into the next game looking to win and hopefully we can stay there until the end of the season.

"It is not about performances at this time of year, it is about getting the points on the board so that we stay ahead of Morton.

"We have got a lot of games in a short space of time but the boys are confident we can keep our good run going."

Victory on Wednesday saw Thistle extend their stunning form under new boss Archibald and make up for their worst showing on his watch in some style.

The Jags got out of jail when their last trip to Central Park was abandoned while they were trailing 2-1 and Lawless admits they had a point to prove on their return to Fife.

He said: "It was a great win for us on Wednesday night but I think the next game will be a lot harder for us.

"We played really well in midweek and we know that Cowdenbeath will be fired up for the next game and looking to make a mends for that defeat.

"It was in the back of our minds that we didn't perform well when we were there last time and the game got abandoned.

"We spoke about that before the game and put in a much better performance.

"I thought we were excellent on Wednesday and certainly deserved the three points.

"We weren't up to form in that last game for whatever reason, I don't know what it was.

"But we went back on Wednesday and rectified that and now we need to do it again.

"It is a hard place to come but we will do our best to try and stay top of the league."

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara is said to be on the trail of Jags defender Paul Paton.

The player was a mainstay of the Thistle team when McNamara was in charge at Firhill.