The league season may only be five weeks old, but Jamie Bain has described the showdown with Stranraer as a 'Cup Final'. 

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Bain (23), who has been deployed in a number of positions during Airdrie's stuttering start to the campaign, says a point is not enough as the Diamonds welcome last season's surprise package Stranraer. 

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"This game on Saturday is like a cup final. We need the win and the three points to show ourselves and the fans that we have still got what it takes to charge up the league. 

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"Even though a draw would mean a point and an improvement from last Saturday, three points is what is needed". 

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A bright first-half performance against Morton on Saturday proved not to be enough, as the Greenock men came from behind to win the tie 2-1. 

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Airdrie were left to rue a near-miss from Liam Watt at the beginning of the second half, which would have put the visitors 2-0 ahead. 

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"After being on top in the first half and going into the break 1-0 up, we thought to do the exact same thing in the second half would be fine" 

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"After our early chance in the second half we sat back and let them take the game, and it cost us three points". 

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The result left the Diamonds rooted at the foot of the table, while this week's rivals Stranraer were pulling away with a 2-0 win over league leaders Ayr United. 

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Bain concedes that performances and results haven't been good enough, but is optimistic about the rest of the season. 

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"I know we're much better than this, and so do the rest of the boys as we proved it towards the end of last season with something like 13 games unbeaten. 

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"But if you can't win games then you are going to be sitting at the bottom of the league". 

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A positive result on Saturday could be the catalyst for another winning run. 

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"Where we end up is is the big question, but if can get that win on our backs and show the fight again I have no doubt we'll be moving up the table". 

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Unlike most League One teams, Stranraer don't feature an ex-Diamond in their starting XI - although former U19 goalkeeper Daniel Tobin is likely to be on the bench. 

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Airdrie continue to monitor the fitness of strikers John Boyle and Jim Lister. 

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Des Roache is the man in the middle.