Chris Mochrie expects a battle at Cappielow on Saturday – but believes the Diamonds have what it takes to continue their recent league form.

Airdrie’s William Hill Championship wins over Dunfermline Athletic and Queen’s Park followed a Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup victory at Dumbarton, but the winning streak came to an end last weekend as Dundee knocked the Diamonds out of the Scottish Cup.

All four Dark Blues goals came before the interval in an afternoon to forget at the Scot Foam Stadium, but Dundonian midfielder Mochrie says the bread and butter of the league campaign is a different matter.

“Obviously it wasn’t a good performance from us, especially the first half. We just made it a bit too easy for them. Previous to that we had been doing well, so it’s just about trying to keep that momentum going.

“We played a good team. We’d have liked to have given a better account of ourselves, but we’ve just got to think back to the weeks before that and take the positives from those games into this week.”

Those recent league results have seen Airdrie narrow the gap at the bottom to nine points, with Hamilton Academical now the closest contenders for a scrap to avoid the automatic drop.

Mochrie says the squad are convinced that the fightback is a realistic possibility – with three points in Inverclyde on Saturday firmly in their sights.

“Everybody thinks we can do it, and we can keep these good results going. Morton will be a tough game, it’s never easy down there, but I think everybody’s full of belief. We’re just trying to put that Dundee game aside and get a good result this week.

“There’s been a bit of a lift recently, a lot of good performances and results. We’ve not really had a run like that this season, so I think it’s really important we try to keep that going.”

While Airdrie’s form has ignited hope around the club, Morton have also been on an impressive run, with a nine-match unbeaten streak dating back to November last year.

Dougie Imrie’s side managed a 2-0 win over the Diamonds the last time the sides met at Cappielow, full-backs Zak Delaney and Cammy Ballantyne on the scoresheet as Airdrie midfielder Rhys Armstrong saw red early in the second half back in September.

The Ton also scored twice, through Cameron Blues and Jordan Davies, when the sides met at the Albert Bartlett Stadium in December, but this time Airdrie hit back with Ben Wilson netting both equalisers in a match the Diamonds felt they should have won.

Mochrie is ready for another hard-fought encounter with the Greenock men.

“It’s always a tough game with a lot of long balls and maybe not as much football getting played as normally. It’s just about standing up to that fight and trying to come out on top.

“I think this season they’ve changed their style a wee bit. It’s obviously working for them recently, but we just need to focus on ourselves and try to do the things that we can do well.”

With Liam McStravick and Mason Hancock looking sharp off the bench at Dundee last weekend, Airdrie’s return to something resembling a full-strength squad is proving a big boost to Rhys McCabe’s men.

Chris explains that the competition for inclusion is as important as the ability to call on extra talent.

“The squad’s getting a lot bigger now, there’s a lot of bodies coming back and competition for places, which is aways good.

“There will be boys that are starting, and then great options to come off the bench, which is probably a reason that we’re starting to pick back up again. It’s good for everybody.

“Once you’re in, you try to do all you can to keep your jersey because you know there are boys there that will be raring to go. It’s all healthy competition, and hopefully it pushes everybody forward.”

Manager Rhys McCabe echoes his player’s thoughts on a difficult away venue.

“It always a notoriously tough place to go, Cappielow, they seem to turn it into a bit of a fortress. The conditions at this time of year make it interesting going into the game, but we’re off the back of a couple of good positive results and we’ll be looking to go and get the three points on Saturday.

“Obviously the position that we find ourselves in, we’ve got to make sure that we’re getting points so we can get out of the situation that we’re in. It’s a good opportunity to go and do that on Saturday – we fully expect it to be a difficult task, but it’s one that we’re relishing.”

The Diamonds boss reported no new injury concerns ahead of the match, with Lewis Strapp, Aidan Wilson and Aaron Reid continuing their progress toward a first-team return.

Referee Ryan Lee takes charge of his second Airdrie match this season, having overseen December’s home defeat to Livingston.

Match tickets are available using the link below. Due to ongoing repairs at Cappielow, visiting fans are restricted to the Wee Dublin End only, where the refreshment kiosk operates on a cash-only basis. Small umbrellas are permitted.

Disabled supporters should access Cappielow via the main entrance, and supporters bus parking is available on Ratho Street.

Our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK and Ireland) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams are available as usual.