David Brownlie feels that Airdrie are due a result against Raith Rovers - and hopes that getting one on Saturday can help the Diamonds to a strong finish.

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Second-placed Rovers visit Excelsior Stadium this weekend having fallen behind Ayr United in the League One title race.

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Brownlie wants to go one better than last week's back-to-back draws against Alloa Athletic - two matches in which the big defender was disappointed to drop points.

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"In the first game I felt we deserved the victory. Our second half performance was excellent after going behind twice.

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"On Tuesday we probably caused our own problems. At 2-0 up the game was in our hands so we feel as if it's two points dropped."

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Former Rangers and Ross County youth Brownlie has relished his first taste of senior football with Airdrie, although he admits it's been an eventful season on and off the pitch.

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"I've enjoyed it , but it has been a year of ups and downs for the team overall.

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"Of course I'm hoping to continue playing here next season, but the only way I can do that is if I play well - and the boys are all confident we can push on to get results in the remaining games."

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That starts with the visit of Barry Smith's Raith Rovers on Saturday. Although the Diamonds have performed well in three previous meetings with the Kirkcaldy side, Raith have won both Stark's Park meetings and snatched a late draw at the Excelsior in December.

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David feels that while results have favoured second-placed Raith, Airdrie's performances have shown that the Diamonds can compete.

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"We're definitely capable of getting the win - we've been close to doing so in the last two games and we've been very unfortunate to only take a point overall.

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"If we get a win at the weekend it will give us confidence to get more results for the remaining games and finish as high up the table as we can - that's all the encouragement we need."

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Airdrie manager Steven Findlay praised his side's spirit ahead of Saturday's clash.

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"With Ayr United extending their lead at the top, Raith will be fighting for every point - but so are we.

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"We're always looking to improve our quality, but the desire and the fight is there."

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The Diamonds will be without striker Darryl Duffy, who fractured a rib in Tuesday night's match against Alloa.

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Referee Gavin Duncan is the man in the middle. Airdrie fans won't want to remember his only other match involving the Diamonds this season - November's 6-1 trouncing at East Fife.