MORTON face their biggest match in many a year tonight when they make the short journey along the M8 for a win-or-bust clash against Partick Thistle.

The importance of the game cannot be overstated - by 9.30pm we will know whether or not Allan Moore's men still have a realistic shot at the First Division league trophy - a crown the club has not claimed since 1987.

Having fallen behind the Jags in recent weeks, the fixture schedule allowed them to claw back three points while Thistle were otherwise detained at the weekend.

Now Ton know that victory at Firhill this evening would put them back on top of the table and - notwithstanding the game in hand that the Jags have - hand them a massive psychological advantage for the title run-in.

It all looks so easy on paper - but will be considerably difficult to achieve in practice.

There's so little to choose between two promotion rivals who have set a blistering pace no other side has matched, picking up points at an impressive rate right throughout the campaign.

Now it might come down to who can best handle the ever-increasing pressure that comes hand-in-hand with a championship chase.

Morton got themselves back on track on Saturday with an emphatic 5-2 win over Airdrie which featured a hat-trick from in-form striker Peter MacDonald, setting themselves up nicely for tonight's big encounter.

Thistle, meanwhile, did not enjoy the best of weekends - they went into the Ramsdens Cup showpiece against Queen of the South as favourites only to fall at the final hurdle.

The manner of their defeat on penalties will undoubtedly have been hard to take, especially after they looked to have the momentum with a dramatic last-gasp extra time equaliser against the Second Division champions.

It will be interesting to see how Thistle react to the disappointment - they have been on a remarkable run of form since Alan Archibald took over from Jackie McNamara and this is probably the first setback they have faced under his stewardship.

They have also had to cope with a heavy fixture calendar as they played catch-up due to a series of postponements - and while no one has heavy legs when they are winning every week, it can suddenly be a different story off the back of a defeat.

Yet Thistle might see this huge-stakes fixture as the ideal one to go straight into after their cup final agony, with the importance of it carrying the players through the pain barrier.

Equally, it is well documented that they have a relatively inexperienced squad who have never been in this position before - they have to demonstrate that they can cope with it.

Lack of a track record is not something that Morton suffer from, with enough medals between them to demonstrate that they know how to get the job done.

Having been around the block once or twice, they will no doubt look their opponents up and down in the tunnel before kick-off, ready to seize on any scintilla of doubt or nerves.

In doing so they cannot afford to compromise their discipline - you only need to look at the costly red cards Thistle have picked up in each of the games between the sides this season.

All three matches have been tight affairs but Morton currently hold the upper hand, taking seven points from nine.

They may have been outplayed for spells of the first encounter at Cappielow but ultimately they showed more menace than the men from Maryhill and were, in the end, decent value for a 3-1 success.

The second fixture, on Boxing Day, saw them under the cosh in a torrid first half but they weathered the storm and staged a sensational second half comeback to win 2-1, handing Thistle their first home defeat of the season.

It remains the only blot on Partick's home record.

Thistle were again out in front when the two teams renewed rivalry in mid-February at Cappielow, breezing into a two goal lead only to be stunned by another rally from the Greenock men - with the introduction of Martin Hardie from the subs' bench proving pivotal.

Hardie, fresh from serving a one game suspension, will surely be a key figure from the outset tonight - it's inconceivable that he would be left out of the starting line-up this time.

His return from a one game ban leaves manager Moore with decisions to make in terms of how he sets up this evening - there will either be a change up top to accommodate an extra body in midfield, or someone else will drop out if Morton stick with two up front.

I wouldn't envy the manager because it's a very difficult call to make.

Five across the midfield and one striker would leave Morton looking very strong in the engine room and mean that Fouad Bachirou can take up a role which he is more comfortable with.

It would also offer a bit of protection in terms of limiting Thistle's ability to launch the quick attacks which have been a hallmark of their game all season.

Adding a bit of extra manpower in the middle must be very tempting given Morton's well documented defensive frailty - they have been much too porous and it is undoubtedly a concern that a side of the paucity of Airdrie was able to breach them twice on Saturday.

On the other hand, leaving two up front could play to Morton's strengths, which are getting on the front foot and taking the game to their opponents.

There are also signs that MacDonald and Colin McMenamin's nascent striking partnership is boiling up nicely, with the former looking unstoppable at the moment.

The selection dilemma just adds yet another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a fascinating and nerve-shredding 90 minutes for everyone connected with the club.

Morton's crowds have been a talking point all season but if there was ever a time when their fans need to get out and back the team it is now - a large and loud away following helped turn the tide at this venue on Boxing Day and they can be an important influence once again.

Oh what they would give for three points tonight and a chance to take this rollercoaster season all the way to the final day.

TEAM LATEST EXPERIENCED midfielder Martin Hardie is expected to go straight back into the team as he returns from his one-match suspension.

But Peter Weatherson (fractured hand), Willie Dyer (dislocated shoulder) and Stephen Stirling (broken leg) are all ruled out of tonight's crunch clash.

Defenders Kevin Rutkiewicz (calf) and Thomas O'Ware (hamstring) missed Saturday's win against Airdrie but Allan Moore is optimistic they will be fit to play.

Moore said: "We're hoping to have all our big guns fit. Mark McLaughlin's fine. We took Peter MacDonald off early on Saturday and he's on fire at the moment. Kevin and Thomas could be back and available for selection, so we're hoping to go up there with the strongest squad possible." TRAVEL NOTES THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters buses for tonight's big game at Firhill are now full.

They will leave the hotel at 6.15pm sharp and everyone is asked to get along in plenty of time to pay the bus convener as it will be very busy.

THE Greenock Morton Supporters' Club travel section bus to Firhill on Wednesday will leave the Morton Supporters' Club at 6.30pm with pick-ups en route.

Anyone wishing a seat on this bus please call John on 07909 997071. Prices are �6 and �4.

THE SHMSC bus will leave the Spinnaker at 6.15pm for the Irn Bru SFL First Division game against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Wednesday, 10 April. Cost is �6 for adults and �5 for concessions.

Please contact the Spinnaker on 633107 or text 07816 491185 to add names to bus sheet. Limited availability.