Alan Archibald unhappy after Partick lose to Inverness

Partick boss Alan Archibald criticised his side for their unacceptable'' display against Inverness as he admitted they only had themselves to blame for wandering into relegation danger.

The Jags were thumped 4-1 at Firhill as their dreadful defending let the Highlanders through time and again. And worse could be to come if they fail to improve next weekend.

Thistle are due to take on 11th-placed Kilmarnock at Rugby Park but will head to to Ayrshire for their third last game of the season packing just a six-point cushion after Lee Clark's side thrashed fellow play-off rivals Hamilton.

Now Archibald has confessed his side - who could have clinched a top six slot had they beaten Ross County in their final fixture before the split - are in real trouble after a self-inflicted drubbing.

He said: The first half was kind of even but Inverness scored a poor goal from out point of view.

However the second half was not acceptable. We were miles away. We asked for a reaction but didn't get it.

We've had a reaction off them before in a good way but we were very, very poor all over the pitch. Everything we've built our success on this season went out the window. I've not seen us defend as badly for about a year and a half.

It makes next Saturday's game at Killie a massive game. But we've done that ourselves.

We've just told the lads we could be sitting here in a good position. But now we've put a bit of pressure on ourselves to get a result and it gives Kilmarnock something to aim for.''

Carl Tremarco put Inverness ahead at the interval before they ran riot in the second period with goals from Miles Storey, Josh Meekings and Jordan Roberts.

Kris Doolan had pulled one back for the hosts when they were three down but it was too little too late to stop Caley Thistle picking up their first win in seven attempts against Partick.

However, their thrilling display only left boss John Hughes frustrated.

His side also missed out on a top-half finish after a series of injuries blighted the start to their campaign but Hughes said: It blows my f** brains out. Why couldn't we do that earlier in the season?

I'm very pleased with that result for a number of reasons. Partick have been our bogey team over the last couple of years.

I was concerned we might take our foot off the gas after we pretty much cemented our SPL status last week but it wasn't the case.

We played some nice football and scored four goals - and it could have been more. It's a good result for us.''

But the manager was also greedy for more, saying: I'm still desperate for Storey to score a double. He's not done it - it's all singles. I've worked with strikers that want to be taking that ball home and scoring hat-tricks. Storey needs to get that. He had plenty chances today.

But it's still nice we've got the foot firmly on the pedal as we approach the end of the season.''