Fifers’ sole objective is to overtake Airdrie

East Fife head to third-placed Airdrieonians with the sole objective of overtaking the team that sits directly above them in League 1, rather than boosting hopes of a promotion charge or even a title chase.

Methil manager Darren Young said: “This is the first of three massive games in our season as after Airdrie we have Montrose and then Raith Rovers.

“It is the time of year where results are more important than performances so I would settle for any kind of win at Airdrie.

“We have always said that our target is to finish in the top four but we are, of course, aware that the gap to the teams above us has lessened.

“In fact, Airdrie are only above us as they have a one-goal better goal difference but we view this game as a chance to stick to what we have always set out to do, which is to catch the team that is above us rather than anything else.

“If we do it then we will look to stay above them and catch whoever is in second.”

Young is expecting a tight encounter in Lanarkshire.

He explained: “We had a great 4-1 success over Airdrie at our place early in the season but then lost two quick goals in the next game and went down 2-0.

“The third game was a draw so on that basis I would expect this game to be very close again.

“We will have to defend well, especially in situations where they can get crosses into the box. They are good at getting balls sent over and attacking them so we need to limit their supply.

“We are going there after a good 1-0 win at Forfar.

“We made a great start with a goal in the first minute and built on that by defending well.

“We could have scored more but I would settle now for a 1-0 win and to jump up a place at Airdrie.”

Kyle Bell is the only absentee for the Fifers, with the midfielder still working his way back after a knee injury.

Darren Young is focused on seeing his team leapfrog Airdrieonians.