Hugo Faria says the Diamonds deserved their win at Dunfermline, but it counts for nothing if the same effort is not applied against Cowdenbeath this weekend.

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Portuguese ace Faria is settling in to life at New Broomfield, and the midfielder has been impressed with the experience so far.

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"The approach from the club, starting with the chairman and ending with the kitman, has been amazing. 

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"I'm delighted to be part of the Airdrie family, and they've made it easy for me."

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Joining on a two and a half year deal after a six-month stint at Livingston, Faria made his Diamonds debut in the 3-3 draw at Brechin City before starring in the televised win at East End Park last Friday.

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Performing an excellent man-marking job in his holding midfield role, the 32-year-old insists the overall team performance merited a win.

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"I think it was a well deserved three points. We knew from before that Dunfermline are very strong at home and apply pressure from the start, so we were prepared for that.

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"We did a great job tactically in all areas of the park. Defending, we were solid and compact - and attacking we were clinical."

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It's long been said in football that you're only as good as your last game, and Faria knows that the result only matters if Airdrie continue to build on it - starting this weekend against Cowdenbeath.

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"The game is already gone, and to have the real value we have to put the same effort into the coming games.

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"The league is very strong and all the teams have their positive points, so Cowdenbeath will be another difficult game.

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"If we can put on the park what the gaffer wants, and with the same responsibility and courage as the last game, we can win the match."

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With full time football in the pipeline for next season, the feelgood factor is high among the Diamonds support. Hugo sees consistency and improvement as the short-term aims.

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"I will say that big teams are made on and off the pitch, and Airdrie are definitely on that path. 

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"We have to think game by game. We have to be ambitious and always look up instead down."

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Cowdenbeath were 3-0 winners the last time the sides met, in what turned out to be then manager Gary Bollan's last game in charge. Colin Nish's men went on to beat Ayr United, although January saw them lose to Dunfermline and Stranraer.

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They have since added former Airdrie goalkeeper Grant Adam alongside Kieran Gibbons and Ross Caldwell. Faria is one of five new faces in the Airdrie squad since the December meeting.

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Gavin Duncan referees.