IAN MAXWELL today warned Partick Thistle they must respond to their loss at Livingston with three points when Dundee come calling on Saturday.

The Jags skipper was in no mood to push any panic buttons after the 3-1 defeat in the Lions' den.

But while he reckons the five-point gap between third-placed Thistle and leaders Livi is far from disastrous, Maxy is determined to do everything he can to close it at Firhill.

He said: "Nothing is won or lost at this point in the season when we are not even at the end of the first quarter.

"But what I would say is that it makes the visit of Dundee even more important on Saturday.

"It would have been nice to have won and go top, but Dundee was going to be a big game regardless of us being in third place or sitting on top."

However, the Jags skipper has no doubt that Roberto Landi's men will be in at the death for the First Division title.

The Firhill defender said: "Livingston are a good side. They got the ball down and passed it and I don't think there is much doubt they will be in there are the end of the season.

"But a five-point gap between us and them after eight games is not a big deal - providing we respond with a win over Dundee.

"But as I always say, teams that win leagues don't lose two games on the bounce. So we know what is needed against Dundee and that is three points."

Maxy has no doubt that an obviously jaded Jags paid for their midweek Co-operative Cup heroics against Rangers last time out at Almondvale.

He said: "We had a flat start and there is no excuse for that.

"We just didn't get out the traps and then we lost a bad goal to a deflection and were put on the back foot mentally.

"Then to lose another poor goal, we knew we had to get one back and then we had some control. After the break it was end to end.

"But it was a very draining game last week and it is great that with such a big game like Dundee looming, we have a free week to prepare and go into it fresh."

Maxy added: "But I think it is a big plus that after the defeat at Livi we have Dundee at home.

"The atmosphere at Firhill in our home games has been superb and the way the fans have backed us has been brilliant.

"Dundee will bring a good support down as this is possibly an even more important game for them, so it should be a cracker. We just have to make sure we come out on top."