Airdrie are preparing to face Raith Rovers for the sixth time this season with the hope of getting their first win over the Fifers. 

​

The Diamonds have lost three of the five matches between the teams so far with one of those defeats coming in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

​

Jimmy Boyle's men are also keen to bring a long winless streak at New Broomfield to an end with a first triumph on home turf since August.

​

Currently, the gap to Dumbarton in the Irn-Bru First Division relegation play-off position is five points. Airdrie are ten points adrift of Cowdenbeath in eighth spot.

​

A 3-2 defeat to the Blue Brazil last weekend at Central Park has not helped matters and once again highlighted the problem of conceding late goals.

​

With eight fixtures remaining, it's fair to say that time is running out for Airdrie in their quest for survival but the manager is not giving up.

​

He said: "We're losing very cheap goals late-on in games but I don't think we deserved to get beat on Saturday. It happened and we've just got to get on with it.

​

"I know there was a statement made saying that I'd thrown the towel in. Absolutely no chance of that.

​

"We will be fighting until it is mathematically impossible for us to stay up. I can guarantee you that we will be fighting.

​

"I've seen good progress from us going forward. We're scoring goals and creating chances. We now need to keep that back door shut."

​

Airdrie are without the injured trio of Gavin Griffin, Grant Evans and Paul Di Giacomo for the clash with Raith.

​

Long-term absentee Alan Cook is back in light training but is expected to miss the rest of the season.