Boss Archibald defends Partick pitch

The pitch was heavily sanded after weeks of heavy rain, but passed an inspection three days after Thistle's home match against Dundee United was postponed.

However, Archibald and Motherwell counterpart Mark McGhee agreed the surface looked far worse than it played.

After Steven Lawless struck an injury-time winner, Archibald said: "I thought our lads played the conditions too much, the pitch wasn't actually that bad in the middle.

"Launching long balls isn't really our game, but in the second half we opened up a bit and played some not bad stuff. At the end of the game we saw Stevie Lawless and and the guys that can play come up, but we will take three points no matter how we play.

"It's been a long week for our groundsman Allan Findlay, believe me. He was in here since half seven and we don't have a big team, it's just a couple of volunteers.

"It's a real credit to him and at least we managed to get him the three points."

McGhee added: "I don't think the surface was that bad. Those sandy areas in the wide areas are a wee bit more difficult than the rest of the pitch, but the surface wasn't a factor. It certainly wasn't a factor in the outcome."

Meanwhile, Mathias Pogba vowed to fight hard for a place in the team after making his comeback from a hamstring injury as a second-half substitute.

Pogba has fresh competition for the William Hill Scottish Cup match against Dundee United on Saturday after Aidan Nesbitt and Antonio German joined Thistle on Monday.

But the striker told the club's official website: "Competition is football. When you have more competition it makes you work even harder to show what you can do and I'll do that.

"When you are fighting against quality players you have to make sure you always perform well and earn your place in the team.

"It's a big boost for me just coming back from injury and helping the team get the win. I was waiting for my chance and it was good that I managed to get on and make my contribution. Hopefully I can make many more and show everyone my best in the coming weeks."