Joe Gorman says Saturday's match at Peterhead is another "must-win" for the Diamonds as the play-off battle gains momentum.

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Airdrie travel to the North East on the back of defeat at the hands of league leaders Livingston, but the defender was part of a new-look back three which looked comfortable against Stenhousemuir the previous weekend.

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Dubliner Joe is enjoying his role in the new system.

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"It's much better, we feel more stable at the back. When we have to shut up shop it changes to a back five and we can get more men behind the ball.

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"It was individual mistakes that cost us against Livingston, but I thought we got back in the game after a poor start and had chances to score. You have to take those chances against the league leaders."

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With Monklands neighbours Albion Rovers recording a midweek win against East Fife, Airdrie are still level on points with Barry Smith's side who no longer have the advantage of a game in hand.

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Gorman feels the Diamonds have to concentrate on their own performances as the end of the season draws closer.

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"I think we need to just look at ourselves. At the end of the day we have to play East Fife again, so if we can win all of our games and let the football do the talking, we'll overtake them."

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Jim McInally's Peterhead find themselves fighting at the wrong end of the table, and although the Blue Toon won the first meeting with Airdrie, the Diamonds have taken two victories in the last two matches - scoring four on each occasion.

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Diamonds top scorer Andy Ryan misses Saturday's match through suspension, but Gorman is confident that he and his team-mates have what it takes to win.

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"They're a good team and I'm surprised that they're down there, it's not an easy place to go to. We need to go up there with the mentality that it's a completely must-win game - we can't be slipping up any more.

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"Chucky's going to be a miss obviously but we've got people to come in and do a job for the team - that's what we need everyone to do, come together and do a job for each other.

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"It's not about performances now, it's just getting over the line and getting three points."

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Head coach Mark Wilson expects lessons to be learned from the Livingston defeat.

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"We're looking forward to the game. We got some joy up there last time and against them at home, but we know it'll be a tough game.

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"We need to give ourselves a chance by not giving away silly goals in the opening part of the game. We need to start the right way and that's what we've been drumming in to the players. 

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"We're definitely capable of going up there and getting the win - these games are crucial now, we know what we've got to do and we know the prize at the end of it."

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Euan Anderson referees the Balmoor clash. His only other Airdrie match this season was November's 2-1 home win over Alloa, in which the Wasps player-manager Jim Goodwin was shown a red card.