IAN MAXWELL has warned Partick Thistle they can expect a backlash from Dunfermline on Saturday.

Maxy has no doubt that, after suffering successive defeats at the hands of Raith Rovers and Dundee, the Pars will be at their most dangerous in what will be Firhill's centenary fixture with the famous stadium celebrating 100 years since its first game on Friday.

But the Jags defensive rock reckons Thistle will have to keep close tabs on Fife strike duo Graham Bayne and Andy Kirk if they are to succeed in emulating last term's 1-0 victory in the corresponding fixture.

The 34-year-old said: "Dunfermline will be desperate to get back to winning ways and will probably be nursing a lot of frustration given that their last two games have seen them lose a derby at home against Raith and then lose out at Dundee to a Leigh Griffiths penalty.

"That is going to make them very dangerous and, in particular, the Bayne- Kirk strike pairing will be a real handful for us. Both of them have SPL exper-ience under their belts and they are two aggressive and physical strikers, so it is going to be a tough afternoon.

"On top of that, we are both on the six-point mark and just four points off the leaders Ross County, so both sides have plenty of motivation. We won the corresponding fixture between the two sides last term thanks to a great goal from Stephen McKeown and it could be very tight again."

While Thistle garnered a hard-won point at Raith Rovers last time out, their last home league fixture produced their finest performance of the season in a 5-0 thrashing of Morton.

Now Maxwell says it is vital Thistle start to make Firhill a feared location for opposition sides.

He said: "We have drawn with Ross County 0-0 and beaten Morton by five goals so far this season in league games at home. I think what we are looking for on Saturday is something in between.

"The good thing is that we are yet to concede a goal in two league fixtures at Firhill and keeping a clean sheet is going to be very important again for us against Dunfermline.

"The back four has been pretty settled, with the only position we have had some changes in being on the left flank and I think that is a good thing. We have experience at the back and we have cover with Martyn Corrigan looking for a start."

HE ADDED: "That also means there is real competition for places and that is very healthy.

"Early in the season, especially, it is important to string together positive results and performances at home as it gets the fans behind you and also gives you confidence and momentum. We need to take another step towards that on Saturday."

The experienced former St Johnstone and St Mirren stopper has proved at his reliable best and admits he is delighted to be starting regularly.

Maxy said: "I am pleased with my form so far because, if it dips, you know you are going to be hooked. We have a lot of versatility at the back and you know that sooner or later suspensions will take a toll, so that is going to be important.

"If you look at the teams who have done well in the First Division in recent seasons like St Johnstone, Hamilton and St Mirren, they have had a bit of luck in that respect."