IT was a fifth successive defeat for Morton, but yet again they did not lose ground on those below them, Airdrie and Ayr also going down.

On the face of it, it is a worrying time for the Ton. On closer examination, however, there is cause for some optimism.

While management pair James Grady and Allan McManus do not seek to use a crippling injury list as an excuse, the simple fact is that seven players are out injured - all relatively long term, and another on loan. That has to have its effect.

But nonetheless, there has been a noticeable change in the way Morton are attempting to play their football. They have been getting the ball down and trying to play passes. Their Achilles heel has been a failure to take their chances when they arise, and occasional costly lapses in defence.

On a positive note, David Van Zanten and Alan Reid were brought in as trialists at full back on Saturday. Van Zanten did particularly well and it would not surprise if Morton try to push the boat out and sign him permanently.

He was composed in everything he did and would do a good job for the club.

As Grady commented afterwards, however, it's goals that change games and too often Morton are failing to capitalise on their better moments in matches. Had they taken the lead in a first half in which they had the greater possession, it might have worked out differently.

Equally, though, Grady was all too aware that football is not about ifs and buts; it's about winning points.

The big plus for him and his assistant Allan McManus is that this season there is a tail end to the league noticeably inferior to previous years. Ayr and Airdrie are struggling at this level with little prospect of significant improvement. Morton at least have eight players to come back into contention.

The opening stages were very scrappy and the first real moment of note came in 20 minutes when Kevin Finlayson's right wing cross was met with a glancing header by Peter Weatherson which flew narrowly over the crossbar.

Brian Wake then had two opportunities, his cross-cum-shot being cleared off the line by Robertson before Tuffey blocked his second attempt.

But it was Thistle who fashioned an excellent opportunity in 32 minutes, Donnelly suplying Buchanan who got clear of David MacGregor only to shoot inches wide of the left post from an angle on the right.

Four minutes later Simon Donnelly ought to have put the Jags ahead. Goalkeeper Colin Stewart and Buchanan collided, the ball fell to Donnelly and his lob was superbly headed away by MacGregor when a goal looked certain.

Brian Wake again had a chance for the hosts, however, when he evaded two challenges but his shot on the stretch was diverted by goalkeeper Tuffey.

Two minutes before the interval, the home crowd momentarily thought they had scored when Weatherson turned to hook a fierce drive into the left side-netting. That drew a smile from Grady on the touchline.

Partick reappeared with Adams on for Hodge in central midfield, and he gave the visitors a more aggressive edge in that area.

Again, however, Wake was prominent only to hit the goalkeeper with an effort. Then in 49 minutes he took advantage of a Donnelly slip to race clear from deep within his own half, supplying McGuffie wide right. His cross came in but Wake couldn't get enough on the ball to direct it goalwards.

The lack of a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch was to prove costly. In 53 minutes Thistle took the lead, and it was all so simple. David Rowson managed to get the better of a challenge and made ground on the right, squaring a simple pass inside for Buchanan to side-foot home.

Three minutes later it was two-nil, with an almost identical move. A ball down the right left David MacGregor exposed with no cover, Buchanan outpaced him and this time Donnelly was in place to tap the cut-back into the net. It was ironic given that Donnelly had trained with Morton pre-season and might have been in their side.

Morton were stunned. Stewart Greacen headed over from a Finlayson corner, then McGuffie's downward header was cleared off the line by Paton at the right post.

Lovell replaced Buchanan who had taken a knock earlier in the game and Partick began to control the play.

Despite the intervention of Grady himself, for Wake, and later young under-19 player Kane for Finlayson, the game petered out to a 2-0 win for the visitors who are now fourth top, four points behind joint leaders Queen of the South and Dundee.

There were encouraging moments from a Morton point of view, but the sooner they find an end product the better.

MORTON (4-4-2): Stewart 7; Van Zanten 8, Greacen 6, MacGregor 6, Reid 6; Finlayson 6 (Kane 76 3), McGuffie 6, Paartalu 6, McAlister 6; Wake 6 (Grady 66 3), Weatherson 6.

Subs not used - Harding, Monti, McWilliams.

PARTICK (4-4-2): Tuffey; Paton, Robertson, Maxwell, Archibald; Cairney, Rowson, Hodge (Adams 46), Erskine (Corcoran 68); Buchanan (Lovell 64), Donnelly.

Subs not used - Corrigan, Hinchcliffe.

Referee: George Salmond 6.

Attendance: 2,738.