Partick kept up the heat on leading duo Gretna and Morton but were made to fight all the way by bottom club Stirling.
The Binos held Dick Campbell's men 0-0 at Firhill in the August sunshine and merited another point at a chilly Forthbank, but they were made to pay for lacking the killer instinct in front of goal.
Chances were few in a competitive first half with Thistle clearly missing top scorer Jukka Santala, who was out with a virus and is doubtful for Tuesday night's game against Peterhead.
Mark Roberts had an opportunity after 25 minutes when John Fraser lost possession, but his shot was easily saved by Myles Hogarth on his comeback after more than a month out with a fractured cheekbone.
Paddy Connolly should have put Stirling in front after 55 minutes when he latched on to a long ball from Stewart Devine. But, having got the better of Marc Smyth, he shot weakly at Colin Stewart.
Thistle took the lead three minutes later when Ricky Gillies' corner was not properly cleared and Scott McCulloch slammed the ball high into the net, but Albion were deservedly level on the hour mark when Steven Bell fired home a low shot.
Darren Brady put the visitors back in front with a superb header from a Sean Kilgannon cross, but Stirling pushed hard for an equaliser and Stewart denied Connolly and Andy Graham, while Devine thumped a free-kick inches wide.
Stirling now go to Morton on Tuesday, having slipped five points adrift of Dumbarton at the foot of the table.