Managers View - Forfar Athletic
7th February 2014
Satisfied gaffer Gary Bollan believes it was a point gained for Airdrieonians at Forfar Athletic last weekend as they continue their battle to beat the drop.
The Diamonds fell behind to an Omar Kader strike at Station Park but rescued a 1-1 draw thanks to Jim Lister's fourth goal of the season.
Airdrie remain bottom of League One but the result saw them draw level on 17 points with ninth-placed Arbroath. The gap to automatic safety stands at six points.
Now the focus is on the February 15 visit of Brechin City as Bollan troops have this weekend off due to opponents Stenhousemuir's tie at Albion Rovers in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
He said: "I thought we deserved at least a point. The boys are a bit disappointed that we've only got a draw but to go there and get something is a decent result for us.
"I felt we did well in the first half but we were more dominant in the second half and got on the front foot. We scored a good goal and we were looking to attack.
"We didn't defend the second ball well enough which is why we've conceded the goal although it was a great strike from their lad.
"We're still bottom but that's us level on points with Arbroath which is a confidence booster. We've managed to claw back that first gap.
"We're back in there and can now look forward to yet another big game at home to Brechin in a fortnight. It's important we just focus on ourselves.
"I think we've chipped away at it. The only disappointment for us was the game at Ayr United when we never performed. But we've done well against Dunfermline, Stranraer and now here at Forfar.
"The effort and attitude has been first class and I can't fault them for that. Hopefully we can start catching the other teams above us now."
Striker Lister has scored two goals in as many games and Bollan praised the 32-year-old's efforts when it comes to leading the line.
He added: "Big Jimmy is looking more like his old self in these last few weeks. He had a few weeks before the turn of the year where he had a bad chest infection.
"But he's got over that now and he's a good player. He is a handful for any defence."
The manager revealed he hasn't ruled out adding to his squad for the relegation run-in but stressed players coming in must have something to offer the group.
"Our numbers are probably a wee bit down," he said. "We tried to do a bit of business [last] Friday but things didn't come off. We will see what's available in terms of players without clubs.
"We will look to get them in if they suit our style of play and enhance the squad. We want to try and make the team better."
Bollan is also looking forward to seeing 17-year-old striker Liam Coogans make an impression before the end of the season and added: "He will be a big asset. He is a young player and keen to learn."