Rhys Armstrong says Airdrie will be ready for Ayr United as the Diamonds kick off the second quarter against the side who handed them their worst result of the first.

In a difficult round of fixtures, August’s televised 5-0 defeat at Somerset Park was a particularly tough one to take, and as the Honest Men prepare to visit the Albert Bartlett Stadium this weekend, attention is focused on atoning for that result.

The Diamonds have endured some sticky form since then, but with an unprecedented injury crisis striking the squad, it seems that Rhys McCabe’s side are unable to get the rub of the green.

Last Saturday’s defeat to Partick Thistle was another unfortunate one for Airdrie, with the outcome swinging on Lewis McGrattan’s harsh second-half dismissal. Fellow midfielder Armstrong feels that the Diamonds were well in the match at that point.

“It was hard, I felt that we finished the first half positively, and I felt that we could have maybe gone and got the second goal.

“Obviously when the red card happens it’s tough to build attacks when you’re a man down, especially in the middle of the park, but I thought we dealt with it well until the goal.”

Whether down to performances, injuries, bad luck, or a combination of the three, Airdrie find themselves at the foot of the Championship table as the second round of fixtures begins, and Armstrong believes that the right attitude can help the Diamonds through.

“I think we need to stay as positive as we can, to be honest, especially with the games coming thick and fast.

“You can’t really get too down after the weekend, you need to look forward instead of dwelling on the game that's just been.”

Saturday’s visitors Ayr United enjoyed a strong start to the season, though successive defeats have seen them drop to third in the table as an injury to top scorer Anton Dowds takes its toll.

Their five-star performance against Airdrie in August showed the quality they possess throughout, and Armstrong is expecting another tough test against Scott Brown’s high-fliers.

“I think they’ll be a very good side, as we saw when we played them. A physical side, well organised. Coming here, we should go out and try to be positive and get on the front foot early doors.

“I would imagine that they’ll be coming out trying to get the three points after losing their last game, but we’ll be up for it just as much as them.”

Rhys shares the belief among the squad that one result could see things turn around for the Diamonds, and insists that team morale is good despite a difficult start to the season.

“I think it’s positive considering what’s going on with injuries. The boys are sticking together and I think that’s the main thing, to be honest.

“It’s a young group, so it could be difficult for boys going into games and not getting the results that we feel we deserve, but I don’t think you can dwell on it – you just need to keep looking forward, keep being positive around the boys, and hopefully the result will come and we’ll kick on.”

Manager Rhys McCabe says the disappointment which followed the last meeting between the sides should motivate his squad to raise their game against an Ayr side who are also looking to get back to winning ways.

“They’ll probably feel like a wounded animal, we know that from the last time at their place – we were on the end of a hefty scoreline and they were very good on the day, I’ve got to give them credit. They were well organised and fully deserved the win.

“It’s important that we use that as fuel, we recognise what we’re trying to do in trying to hurt them, focussing on us. At the same time we’ll be mindful of what capabilities they can bring, because they’ve still got quality players although they’ve got a couple of injuries.

“We’re in the same boat, so we’re looking to use the home advantage, use that spur from the last time we played to try and put in a better level of performance – and if we do that, we’ll hopefully get the win.”

After a late cameo against Partick, midfielder Terrell Agyemang has returned to full training, but long-term injury victims Aidan Wilson, Dean McMaster, Liam McStravick, Aaron Reid and McCabe himself continue to miss out. Cammy Bruce and Mason Hancock are not expected to make the squad, while Dylan MacDonald’s condition continues to be monitored. Lewis McGrattan is suspended following last weekend’s red card.

Grant Irvine referees the Diamonds for the second time this season, having officiated August’s 2-2 draw at Hamilton.

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