Gary Bollan says Airdrieonians are a "different animal" as they fight the dreaded drop from League One.

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The Diamonds are three points adrift of safety, and four clear of rock-bottom Arbroath, after putting together a six-game unbeaten run.

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Bollan's rejuvenated side hosts Ayr United on Saturday with plenty at stake for both teams.

And the manager is going for the win after Airdrie were denied a deserved victory in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at home to Stenhousemuir. 

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"I think we should have won the game," he said. "It should have been out of sight in terms of how much possession and how many chances we had.

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"We didn't defend the corner well enough for their goal and it's disappointing coming in having only taken a point.

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"But six or seven weeks ago we might have been happy with that. It just shows how things have been turned around.

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"Our lads defended well for much of the 90 minutes. We kept the ball well in the middle of the park and the front two were a menace. They worked hard and pressed right up the pitch.

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"We're hugely disappointed but there are lots of positives to build on. We're a completely different animal compared to a couple of months ago. The confidence has come back.

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"You could see how disappointed the lads were in the dressing room to only pick up a point as they knew they had done enough to win the game. But the run goes on and we're unbeaten in six games."

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The Diamonds have tightened things up at the back with Bollan insisting hard work on the training pitch is continuing to pay off.

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"We're becoming a hard team to beat," he added. "Other sides are coming here and not scoring goals against us. They're finding it difficult to break us down."

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Bollan has added to his squad with Craig Barr agreeing terms at New Broomfield to the end of the season.

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The 26-year-old has previously won titles with Gretna and Livingston and worked with Bollan during their stint in West Lothian.

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"Craig brings good quality," the manager acknowledged. "He's played at a high level in the SPL. I thought his performance on Tuesday was outstanding. He will get better and he's a great addition to our squad.

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"We kept possession well against Stenhousemuir and that's maybe down to the experience and quality Craig has got. He wins second balls and headers and gets us up the pitch."