Forget Hearts... we just can’t get the Blues from Stranraer

Captain Sean Crighton has urged the Airdrie players not to let their performance levels drop in the second half of the season – dubbing the Stranraer clash their most important this season.

The centre-back was wary of a repeat of last season when the Diamonds performance levels dipped following the Scottish Cup glamour tie with Celtic.

The 29-year-old has warned of a slip-up this term with the League One title-challengers facing the struggling Blues.

“We’re in close contention for the league title,”he told the Advertiser.

“This is a very exciting league this season and for us we are looking nearer the top than just at the play-off places.

“I’ve been involved in a tight league before when I was at Morton and we didn’t win it until the very last day.

“It’s going to be important to keep up the momentum and not lose points to our rivals.

“Our focus is on the league, and that’s the view of the full squad.

“Stranraer in my view is the biggest game of our season.

“The East Fife draw felt like a loss. We weren’t good on the day, but to lose a goal in the last minute was a blow.

“To be honest, with the way we played on the day I would have taken a point, but to lose it in the last minute was disappointing.

“We won’t win every game but we need to beat the teams below us.”

He continued:“We can’t take them lightly because of their league position.

“After we played Celtic last season we let our focus slip, and then fell away before missing out on the play-off places.

“We try to look at it on a game-by-game basis, but it’s a really important one for us.”

Crighton believes that the turning point in the Diamonds season was the Challenge Cup exit to Elgin after a sluggish start to the campaign.

He said:“We have a really good group here in the dressing room.

“For me, early in the season we were together but not getting the results.

“When we lost to Elgin there was a few home truths said in the dressing room. I think that was the kick up the backside we needed.

“We’ve done really well to keep up with Raith, Falkirk and East Fife after that and it has made a big difference to our season.

“The boys know they have to be at their best and push themselves for the rest of the campaign.

“It really comes down to how much do you want it. They are all motivated, and most of the part-time guys have been coming in for more training.

“We have had the discussion and for the rest of the season we want to be pushing for the title.”

Looking up Sean Crighton wants to go for top spot