SCOTT CHAPLAIN believes Partick Thistle are at last showing signs that they can find the winning formula away from fortress Firhill.

SCOTT CHAPLAIN believes Partick Thistle are at last showing signs that they can find the winning formula away from fortress Firhill.

Thistle's hard-fought draw with Queen of the South on Saturday earned them a fourth point from their opening two trips of 2009 compared to a paltry five- point haul from nine away fixtures in the first half of the season.

And with Airdrie at New Broomfield next up, Chappie is determined that his mates can add the three points that would keep the pressure on leaders St Johnstone.

The Jags midfielder said: "As far as the away form goes we have got to be positive about things.

"So far in 2009 we have beaten Clyde at Broadwood and then gone to Queens and fought back well to get a point.

"It was our away form that cost us dear in the First Division before Christmas so if we can sort that it is bound to help us make a challenge.

"If we can beat Airdrie on Saturday that would be a pretty good start to the year as far as turning things around away from Firhill."

And Chaplain reckons that the battling point at Palmerston is proof that Partick have the strength of character to grind out results on the road.

He said: "With St Johnstone and Dunfermline being postponed we were hoping to take three points and cut the lead to just two, but it was never going to be easy to get the win at Palmerston.

"Maybe Queen of the South are not going well, but they still have a lot of quality in their side and they are desperate for points.

"The fact we have had to come back from a goal down twice and managed to do that is good though.

"So I don't think you can get too frustrated at just getting the point."

Chappie added: "I think we showed a lot of character at Queens and that is going to be a crucial factor over the second-half of the season.

"We haven't come from a goal down on many occasions this season, so to do it twice in one match is impressive."

While Chappie has found himself dropping behind Stephen McKeown in the attacking midfield pecking order, he came off the bench to claim Jags second equaliser at Palmerston and notch his fourth goal of the season.

And there is no doubt that the former Albion Rovers man added an attacking midfield menace to get beyond his strikers that was lacking before his second-half introduction.

But despite admitting his frustration at being confined to an impact role, Chappie is hoping he did enough in Dumfries to return to the starting line-up at Airdrie on Saturday.

He said: "I am crying out for a run in the team, but sometimes you have to bide your time.

"Coming off the bench is never easy, though, as you have less time to get up to the pace of the game and make an impact, but I was pleased to get the equaliser.

"I got five goals for the whole of last season and the goal at Queens was my fourth this term, so I am on course to beat that.

"But if you are having to come off the bench then it is important that you do grab a goal if you get the chance and I was pleased with the strike.

"Hopefully, it has done enough to persuade the gaffer to give me a start at Airdrie."

Meanwhile, Thistle have been boosted by the news that Ian Maxwell has returned to light training and, along with John Robertson, has an outside chance of making the visit of Dunfermline on February 14.