STEPHEN O'DONNELL reckons Morton will provide Partick Thistle with one of their toughest tests yet on Saturday as the Jags look to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

Having lost their 100% record with a 1-1 draw at Raith Rovers last week, Thistle are keen to get back to winning ways when they travel to face Allan Moore's in-form Ton.

The Greenock side are just five points adrift of Jags at the summit following their own impressive run of four successive wins, with Dunfermline trailing Jackie McNamara's side by a point after victory at Hamilton.

The trip to Cappielow is the second fixture in a three-game away run for Thistle, with a Ramsdens Cup semi-final at Cowdenbeath next Sunday on the horizon.

O'Donnell knows they face a stern examination of their title credentials as they make the short journey down the M8 this weekend.

He said: "It is a tough couple of weeks for us. I thought Morton would be up near the top of the league this season so it is a huge game for us.

"Hopefully we can go there and send out a message that we are there to stay. It is still very early doors so no matter the result, we know we have a lot of hard work to do.

"They have got a great squad. They have managed to keep the likes of Michael Tidser, who is a big player for them, and they have added well.

"They have got a great chance this season, but so do we and a couple of other teams. It's another massive game for us and one we certainly want to win."

He went on: "Going away anywhere in this league is tough, there are no easy games. Morton will be a difficult one for us, it is a bit of a derby and the fans certainly like it.

"Hopefully we can give them something to cheer like on Saturday. It wasn't the best of games but they provided a great atmosphere for us and that is great to hear when you are on the pitch. I hope we can get back to winning ways."

Thistle were left frustrated as they failed to secure a seventh successive victory at the weekend against Raith but O'Donnell admits that the Firhill side are loving life at the top of the pile.

He said: "It is still early doors but we want to keep the momentum going and the last minute equaliser does that.

"It wasn't the three points that we wanted but it was a pleasing result after a difficult game. It is disappointing that the winning run has gone but records always end somewhere.

"We were still gutted because we were doing so well and I thought over the piece we deserved to win on Saturday.

"Saying you are delighted with a point is not something that we will say often this season but I think it was the case against Raith.

"It is nice to look at the table and see we are top but it will be nicer come May if we can stay there."