Thistle hang on for a vital win that takes them 4 points clear at the top of the league with Falkirk and Cove drawing 2-2. 

Thistle don't deal with a long throw and a shot thumps off Sneddon's right hand post with the Thistle keeper well beaten. 

A cross into the Thistle box causes high anxiety that is only halted by the referee's whistle and a Thistle free kick. 

The ball is thumped upfield as Thistle are under some intense pressure as the game goes into injury time. 

Another break in play as an Airdrie player receives some treatment. We can expect a good few minutes of injury time. 

It takes some excellent defending from Thistle to get an O'Reilly cross away from the danger area. 

Thistle pass up a glorious chance to all but secure the three points. The ball is laid invitingly into the path of Tiffoney who on this occasion lifts his head as he shoots and sends the ball high over the Airdrie crossbar. 

Murray swings over a cross from the right but it is far too close to Currie even though he can't cleanly claim Murray's low cross. 

We are into the final 10 minutes now and it's getting increasingly tense. Airdrie have had the better of the second 45 minutes without doubt and Thistle have been required to defend well. 

Following a McKenna long throw, Graham stabs the ball towards goal where Currie makes an easy save. 

The corner goes across the Thistle 6 yard box but neither friend nor foe can get a touch to it. 

Airdrie have a free kick wide on the right. 

There is going to be a break in play as Docherty receives a spot of treatment. 

Thistle have to face another Airdrie set play. This time it is well defender and play restarts with a Thistle goal kick. 

Cardle shoots from outside the Airdrie box but this shot is straight at Currie who clutches on to it. 

Rudden is close to getting on the end of a Graham flick but Airdrie clear. 

There is another free header at the corner and Thistle are hard pressed to get the ball clear. 

And it is Sneddon that has to provide that defending, doing well to push the ball away for a corner while under some pressure. 

Airdrie win a free kick deep inside the Thistle half. Some defneding going to be required here. 

Airdrie are unable to make the most of a good opportunity. There is a free header at the corner and the ball falls to McKay at an angle to the goal but his shot is poor and is well wide. 

Thistle are under a bit of pressure but Brownlie clears away from Roy. 

Currie makes an excellent save to tip Docherty's header over the bar. 

Graham clears a long throw into the Thistle box. Airdrie showed more than enough in the closing stages of the first half to underline just how narrow a one goal lead is. 

Airdrie get the second half underway. 

Thistle deservedly lead at half-time through Brian Graham's close range effort on the half hour mark. 

It's only been since Graham's opener that Airdrie have offered any kind of threat and Thistle have had to endure a few anxious moments before the break. 

Airdrie pushing forward has though offered increased opportunities of catching them on the break and Thistle have missed chances, most notably when a Rudden shot was blocked by the legs of Currie, to extend their lead. 

Bell matches a front post run from Fordyce preventing the Airdrie defender from managing to direct his header goalwards. 

Foster crosses from the left and Rudden heads wide although he looks for a corner

Airdrie have made a good response to falling behind and Sneddon is called into serious action for the first time saving at the feet of an Airdrie striker. 

Calm defending from Bell to clear a Gallagher cross. 

Airdrie shout for handball and a penalty but have to settle for a second corner. 

Rudden's paces sees hum burst into the Airdrie box where he is denied by a good save from Currie with his legs. 

Thistle are asked to defend for just about the first time in the game but Gordon makes a good clearing header. Airdrie comes forward again and this time it is Foster who steps across to clear. 

Nearly a second for Thistle as Tiffoney cuts in from the left. Currie though is able, just, to hold on to his driven low ball. 

It's taken 30 minutes but Thistle are finally have the lead they deserve. The ball comes off the crossbar following Cardle's corner and Graham is on hand to bundle the ball home from close range. 

Although Airdrie are able to deal with Cardle's free kick Thistle pick the ball up again and continue to press for what would be a richly deserved opener. 

Rudden is pushed midway inside the Airdrie half and Cardle will get the chance to deliver a ball into the box. 

Thistle shoyuld be in front. Thistle sweep forward but neither Rudden nor Graham, whose effort is saved by Currie can convert Cardle's cross. 

Docherty makes a run to the near post but can do no more than glance Cardle's corner wide of goal. 

Graham's knock on from a Docherty cross takes the ball away from goal and Rudden. 

It's Rudden that has the ball wide on the left this time. The ball is knocked on for Cardle but the ball doesn't initially sit up for him. When he does manage a shot he drags his effort wide of goal. 

Tiffoney is looking a real threat wide on the left although this time a heavy touch lets him down and Airdrie have a goal kick. 

That's the closest we've been to a goal so far. Tiffoney crosses from the left and Rudden's glancing header, with Currie struggling, is just a shade too high. 

It's a more even game now and McKenna has to be sharp to shepherd the ball away from Roy. 

Cardle takes the free kick and aims it deep to the back post where it isn't too far over the head of McKenna. 

Graham is fouled some way from goal but Thistle will have a chance to get the ball into the Airdrie box. 

Thistle have been firmly on the front foot in the opening minutes of this game. 

Another hint of an opportunity for Thistle. This time the ball comes over from wide on the right. Graham can't get on the end of it and looks in vain for a penalty. 

Half a chance for Thistle inside the first few seconds. Tiffoney gets the ball wide on the left and Graham's header goes over the bar. 

Thistle kick the game off and are shooting towards the City End in the first half. 

Victory at Dumbarton on Tuesday night, coupled with results elsewhere, saw Thistle climb to the top of the league leaving the destiny of the title in their own hands. 

Four wins from the four remaining regular post play-off fixtures will see Thistle crowned League One Champions but nobody underestimates the huge challenge that each and every one of those four games presents. Starting with this afternoon's visit of Airdrie who, like Thistle, are very much in form at the moment. 

Thistle are denied the services of Stuart Bannigan this afternoon through injury and Joe Cardle stepping into the starting eleven is the one change, in personnel at least, that Ian McCall makes from the side that started at Dumbarton.