'Intense' Livingston & fired-up Thistle seek edge

Livingston and Partick last met on 2 May in the regular season, away side Thistle winning 1-0

Premiership play-off semi-final - Partick Thistle v Livingston

Date: Tuesday, 13 May Time: 19:45 BST Venue: Firhill Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, live text commentary on the website

Manager David Martindale says Livingston's extra recovery time gives them an advantage over Partick Thistle in this week's Premiership play-off semi-final.

Thistle overcame a one-goal deficit last week against Ayr United by defeating Scott Brown's team 2-0 at Somerset Park on Friday night.

While the Jags were in action, Livingston were able to rest up and prepare for Tuesday night's first leg at Firhill.

"I think a lot has been taken out of them in terms of playing Friday and Tuesday. We have a wee bit of an advantage going into the game in terms of intensity and tempo," said Martindale.

"They have put a lot into the last three games. But I am focused more on Livingston rather than look at Partick.

"This is the fifth time we will have played them this season so I am more focused on ourselves rather than looking at Partick."

Martindale's players will face in-form veteran striker Brian Graham, who scored his 100th goal for the Jags in their win over Ayr.

The Livingston manager believes his gameplan will snuff out the 37-year-old's threat.

"He has been fairly successful this season. I think he scored one goal the last time we were there," added Martindale.

"He has been phenomenal for them. The top scorer in the league and he has dragged them through with his goals. But I am confident in our game plan and the two centre-backs and how they will cope with Brian."

The return leg is on Friday, with the winner facing the team that finishes second bottom of the Premiership for a place in the top flight next season.

'A cloud hangs over Thistle players'

Meanwhile, Mark Wilson admits he and co-manager Graham want to give Partick Thistle sporting director Ian Baraclough "a decision to make" about a permanent appointment by reaching the top flight.

Graham and Wilson were placed in interim charge following Kris Doolan's departure in mid-February.

They are four games away from promotion to the Premiership, with the semi-final against Livingston and then another two-legged tie against the second-bottom Premiership team.

Wilson, who also looks after the Under-18s at the Maryhill club, says he and Graham have no problem using the next two games - and hopefully a play-off final - as auditions to keep hold of their interim roles.

"Probably coming in, Ian's maybe thought 'these guys will hold the fort'. I'm well aware of some of the CVs that will be in for the job; some top names," said Wilson, who conceded it is "a big ask" to beat the Lions, who were a top-flight team last season.

"So it would be foolish not to consider all that. I think we've given ourselves every chance. If it's an audition, I think we've done OK so far but there's still a lot of work to be done."

Former Celtic defender Wilson believes Thistle's players are fuelled by a "cloud" that hangs over them following their agonising failure two years ago.

Thistle were on the brink of the Premiership, with a three-goal lead in the final with just 20 minutes left at Ross County before the home side fought back and won on penalties in Dingwall.

"The players certainly don't want to experience that again," he added.

"These games can change so quickly. You can be on your holidays within the space of 180 minutes or you can be looking forward to the final."