David Hutton says Airdrie need to make their own luck as the Diamonds enter the stage of the season where only wins will do.

 

The goalkeeper has been frustrated in recent weeks as much-improved performances have yielded nothing in terms of points.

 

Last weekend strikers Dale Carrick and Darryl Duffy scored two top quality goals against league leaders Arbroath, only to see their good work undone by a set piece hat-trick from winger Bobby Linn. Hutton was less than pleased at the manner of the defeat.

 

“We should have taken something from Saturday’s game, and we felt a bit aggrieved at some of the decisions. The first penalty was touch and go, but the second one was never a foul.

 

“When you’re on a bad run you don’t get any breaks, but it’s got to change. We should have taken something on Saturday, and we should have taken something the week before against Brechin. We just need to keep going and believe we can change our luck.”

 

Hutton himself has been largely exempt from criticism, earning widespread praise from the Diamonds faithful after showing some fine form between the sticks. The 33-year-old shrugs off the plaudits.

 

“If we’re losing games it means we’re conceding goals, so there’s always room for improvement. Personally I don’t care about individual glory - if I make a mistake and we win 2-1, it’s only the three points that matter.

 

“It’s difficult just now because we’re all playing alright, we’re just not getting the rub of the green.”

 

Montrose visit the Penny Cars Stadium on Saturday, with each side winning away from home already this season.

 

Ross Campbell’s header was enough to win it for the Gable Endies back in August, but a Darryl Duffy brace and Joao Victoria’s late strike gave the Diamonds a comfortable win at Links Park in October.

 

David says he and his team-mates must keep applying themselves with another tough 90 minutes ahead.

 

“We’re working hard in training, so we just need to keep doing that and keep believing in what we’re capable of.

 

“We lost to the bottom side a few weeks ago - that just shows that every game in this league is a hard one. Last time we played Montrose we worked hard for each other and got a good result - we need to do that again on Saturday.

 

“Our performances in the last couple of weeks have deserved points, hopefully we can get them on Saturday and start a wee run going. We certainly can’t afford to drop any more.”

 

Manager Ian Murray also believes that the Diamonds are due a change in fortunes.

 

“I’ve told the players to keep doing what they’re doing. At some point it will turn for us.

 

“It doesn’t always feel like that, and losing is a horrible feeling, but if we continue to apply ourselves we’ll get the reward in the end.”

 

The Diamonds boss confirmed that Grant Gallagher joins goalkeeper Scott Gallacher on the sidelines after the midfielder picked up a knee injury at Arbroath.

 

Referee Alan Newlands handles his fourth Airdrie match of the season, the others being August’s 4-3 defeat to Raith Rovers, November’s 4-2 win at East Fife, and December’s 1-0 victory at Brechin.