Ryan Conroy wants to see Airdrie with their shooting boots on against Stranraer this weekend.

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The Diamonds have only picked up one point from two decent performances in recent weeks, and stand-in captain Conroy feels his side have been hard done by.

 

"I don't think we've played badly in the last couple of games, we probably deserved to have gotten more out of them than we did.

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"We need to take the positives from the performances - last season we went through a bad spell at the same time of year, but we have a good chance to turn things round with a home game against Stranraer."

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With a 1-0 loss at Alloa following the 2-2 home draw with Albion Rovers, Conroy knows where he and his team-mates need to improve.

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"We've been making chances, we just need to be a bit more clinical in front of goal.

 

"It's frustrating enough letting sloppy goals in, but when you're not scoring at the other end you get punished for it."

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Saturday sees the third encounter with the Blues this season. Airdrie won the Betfred Cup tie 3-1 in July before Stranraer reversed the scoreline in the September League One clash at Stair Park. 

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Asked to pinpoint the differences between the performances, Conroy is convinced that home advantage means a lot in this fixture.
 

 

"You saw it last season as well, most teams struggle down at Stranraer. The pitch can be a problem, and it's usually pretty windy there, but when we played them at home in the Betfred Cup we won convincingly so we'll be looking for more of the same on Saturday."

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"We're a passing team, and we know when teams come here we can play football round about them."

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With four points now separating Airdrie from seventh-placed Albion Rovers, Ryan is aware of the importance of Saturday's match.

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"It's that time of year when we need to start winning more matches.

 

"Saturday's a big game, but it's one we're more than capable of winning."

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Stephen Findlay agrees on the magnitude of the task: "It’s a massive three points, and we’re entirely focussed on getting them."

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The Diamonds' first team coach expects to be without goalkeepers Rohan Ferguson and Matthew Kerr for the third week running, but is hopeful that Adam Brown will make the matchday squad.

 

Ryan Milne referees the tie.