Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
A hat-trick of wins has delighted Ian minding gap
EAST FIFE ..............................................................................1 AIRDRIEONIANS .................................................................2 Airdrieonians gaffer Ian Murray reckons that his Diamonds can close the gap on the play-off spots after a win over East Fife.
The Diamonds sit a point outside of the top four in fifth after claiming their third consecutive win.
Just four points separate third spot and sixth-placed Montrose in the tight League One scrap for promotion.
The New Broomfield men face second-placed Raith this weekend and the manager insists Airdrie can continue to build momentum.
Murray told the Advertiser:“It was a great result against East Fife, but it’s important that we follow it up.
“Raith being the full-time team have a huge advantage in the play-off run-in.
“I like the way they play, but we go to try and get something and close the gap on them as well.
“We know that they will bring a lot of quality and we have to be ready for it.
“They are second, and if not for Arbroath’s form they would be the outstanding contenders for the league.
“Like the East Fife game, we see it as another good opportunity to make up ground.
“The way the league is shaping up, with all the teams still to play each other, it should be a really interesting end to the season.
”I want to make sure that it is an excellent finish to the season for us.”
Former Fifer Kyle Wilkie prodded home a loose ball to give the away side the lead on 18 minutes after Leighton McIntosh controlled Kieran MacDonald’s cross in from the left to play in his teammate.
A mix-up in the visiting defence allowed Anton Dowds to reply almost instantly for the for the Methil men.
Dowds took advantage of a goalkeeping howler - intercepting a short pass from Ben McKenzie and knocking the ball home.
Another mix-up, this time for East Fife almost allowed Airdrie to take the lead. A slip on 40 minutes allowed McIntosh to race in on goal with just goalkeeper Brett Long to beat.
The Bayview keeper managed to get down and clear the danger.
In 44 minutes, Leighton McIntosh was the hero heading in a Josh Edwards cross.
The home side did have the ball in the net just after the restart, but the linesman was quick to raise his flag and rule out the strike.
Former Airdrie and Albion Rovers midfielder Ross Davidson also came close to a with his shot from the edge of the box as the match.
Daryll Meggat went close to levelling the game late on, but Grant Gallagher cleared the header off the line to take the three points back to the Penny Cars Stadium.
Methil boss Darren Young admitted afterwards:“They were the better team.”