Sean McIntosh is pleased that Airdrie got the confidence-boosting win that their performances deserved ahead of Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Cove Rangers.

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The Diamonds ended a run of four games without a win last weekend as Ryan Conroy's second-half double secured an important league win against Stranraer.

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This week the focus turns to the William Hill Scottish Cup third round, and McIntosh is happy to go into the tie on the back of a victory.

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"It was a good win, and I think it's been coming.

 

"We've played well in recent weeks and just haven't had that edge, but Saturday's win sets us up nicely for the cup game and hopefully we can go on a wee run now."

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Airdrie fans know as well as anyone that the cup can bring great excitement - but with things as tight as ever in League One, McIntosh insists that the squad's constant aim is to win the next match.

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"Ideally we wouldn't be having a week off from the league now as that's always our main priority, but cup games are like any other game - we want to do well and get the win.

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"A cup run is good for the whole club, it breeds confidence in the squad which should reflect on the league campaign.

 

"Getting through to the next round gives you the chance of a good tie against a bigger team, but we can't think about that, we just need to take each game as it comes."

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Saturday's opponents Cove Rangers are flying high at the top of the Highland League, three points clear of Fraserburgh with a game in hand. The Wee Rangers' impressive goal difference - 70 scored in 16 games with only nine conceded - has not gone unnoticed.

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"We're expecting a very difficult physical game. Cove Rangers are scoring a lot of goals so we have to be wary of that, but if we can attack like we did on Saturday we've got every reason to be confident."

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First team coach Stephen Findlay shares Sean's view that Cove shouldn't be treated lightly.

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"We’ll be giving them all the respect they’re due, we won’t go into the game with any complacency whatsoever, but we go into it with confidence and in positive mood after last Saturday."

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The Diamonds have had mixed news on the injury front this week, with David Brownlie sustaining a spiral fracture to his hand which is expected to keep the defender out for a number of weeks. While Rohan Ferguson also remains sidelined, fellow goalkeeper Matthew Kerr and midfielder Adam Brown both featured in Monday evening's Development League West win over Albion Rovers.

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On-loan Hearts keeper Kelby Mason joins the squad in place of the unavailable Kyle Gourlay.

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Steven Reid referees his third Airdrie match of the season. The whistler previously officiated the Diamonds league opener at Forfar and last month's 2-2 draw at Ayr.