Partick boss Alan Archibald admitted the heavy fixture schedule list over the festive period had taken its toll on his players after they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock.
The Jags missed out on sealing their place in the top six before the winter break despite back to back victories over Ross County and Dundee which propelled them off the foot of the table and into the top half.
Archibald felt that the five games in a fortnight showed in their play as they finished off the year with a draw.
He said: "I thought we looked a bit leggy and the conditions didn't help us.
"I'm delighted though as this time last week I think we were bottom.
"It has given us a platform to go and build on. It's been ever so tight and I think it will be that way.
"There's not a lot in it you see the way Kilmarnock performed today after that bad result against Hearts the other night and that will probably continue."
Thistle started the match brightly and thought they had made the breakthrough courtesy of Kris Doolan but the celebrations were halted by the linesman's flag.
Doolan had the ball in the back of the net in the second half but it was disallowed for offside again.
Archibald said: "The first one he looks offside and the second one he looks on line.
"But some you get and some you don't.
"It's very close to be fair, but I didn't think we did enough in the second half we started to look a bit tired. It's been a tough fixture list I think we've had five in 15 days."
Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark was satisfied with a point and a clean sheet after seeing his injury-ravaged side concede four to Hearts in midweek.
He said: "It was important for us to get something from the game whatever it way it came.
"We were very, very depleted. You seen the team we had out. We've got a centre midfield Gary Dicker playing at centre half because of his experience.
"We were hoping for the win, we've got a clean sheet there's always something to build on and a point away from home is always a good point."
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