PARTICK Thistle striker Stephen McConalogue is aiming to help the Firhill club bounce back this weekend with victory at Queen of the South.

Dick Campbell's side lost 2-1 to Hamilton last weekend to send the Firhill club back into third spot in the First Division - and there is now only five points separating the teams in second and seventh place.

But, rather than worry about those immediately below them, McConalogue is aiming to leapfrog St Johnstone to grab second spot and then try to close the gap on leaders Gretna.

He said: "It was disappointing to lose to Accies. We didn't perform as well as we would have hoped.

"With us losing, and St Johnstone winning, it let them to move back in front of us - but there is only a couple of points between us.

"In fact, there isn't much at all between a number of clubs, so a couple of wins or a couple of defeats could change your league position considerably.

"But I prefer to look forward and hopefully we can get back to winning ways this weekend and start moving in the right direction again."

Thistle's Palmerston Park visit will see them take on a Queens side rooted to the foot on the table.

But McConalogue said: "Every game in this division is difficult, so we'll travel down to Dumfries knowing we'll be in for a tough match.

"Queen of the South will try their best to make life difficult, so it's important we put in a good shift."