Scott Gallacher wants the Diamonds to end their scoring drought as early as possible against Clyde this weekend.

 

The goalkeeper has only conceded once in three matches since returning to the starting line-up, but a run of four games without finding the net has seen Airdrie drop valuable points in recent weeks.

 

The latest match in that run was last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at the C&G Systems stadium, but Gallacher felt the Diamonds played well despite drawing a blank in wintery conditions.

 

“It was a bit of a blizzard, to be fair - unfortunately Dumbarton weathered the storm!

 

“We thought we did enough to win the game, we had a fair amount of chances and their keeper made a few great saves. We were definitely unfortunate not to get the three points.”

 

With two clean sheets in the last three games, things appear to be going well at Gallacher’s end of the pitch, and the 30-year-old is happy to keep his involvement to a minimum.

 

“The defence has been solid all season, they’ve got a great record.

 

“It is frustrating not to be picking up wins when you’re playing well at the back, but I’m just happy to be back between the sticks and playing my part.”

 

The Diamonds welcome Clyde to the Penny Cars Stadium on Saturday, and with top two Raith Rovers and Falkirk not in action, it gives Airdrie the chance to close the gap.

 

Gallacher believes scoring early can be the key to getting back to winning ways.

 

“We just need to get points on the board, we’ll concentrate on ourselves and take it from there. We’re doing a lot of hard work in training, and we just need to get a wee break. 

 

“It’s the same old story, if you can get an early goal it takes the pressure off and lets you play, but the longer you go without scoring the harder it becomes.”

 

Airdrie have faced Clyde three times already this season. David Goodwillie bagged a double for the Bully Wee in July’s Betfred Cup meeting, but two from Ally Roy either side of an Adam Eckersley strike saw the Diamonds take the points.

 

Calum Gallagher’s stoppage-time overhead kick was the big talking point when the sides met on League One duty in August, with Kurtis Roberts and Dale Carrick having turned round Goodwillie’s early opener.

 

And the Cumbernauld side’s former Scotland striker was at the double again at Broadwood in November, adding to Alex Petkov’s goal to earn a 3-1 win. Carrick was the Diamonds’ scorer.

 

Scott expects another tight encounter.

 

“It’ll be a hard game, Clyde have got a lot of good players - Mitchell, Goodwillie, Chrissy Johnston who I played with at Dumbarton.

 

“It’ll be a good match-up, but I’m always confident we can do the business and Saturday is no different.”

 

Manager Ian Murray added: “We expect a typically tough game, and it’s going to be a big one.

 

“Both sides won 3-1 with home advantage, but I felt in both games the away side did okay and the results were dictated by fine margins.”

 

The Diamonds boss is again without striker Dale Carrick, but otherwise has a full squad to choose from.

 

It’s the third Airdrie home match this season for referee Craig Napier, who previously officiated November’s 3-1 win over Dumbarton and the 1-0 victory against Forfar Athletic in January.