Josh Kerr wants the Diamonds to kick-off another winning run as the business end of the league season approaches.

 

The cultured defender was one of Airdrie’s top performers in last weekend’s 2-0 home win over Clyde with a calm, confident display at the back.

 

The Diamonds head to Peterhead on Saturday as they look to build on the victory, and Kerr says passing football was the key to the three points.

 

“We’d been waiting a while for the goals to click, and I think against Clyde we played more football - we got the ball down and played, and it paid off.

 

“It could have been more if we’d taken our chances, but the first goal settled us down and gave us the freedom to play. I thought it was a good performance.”

 

With skipper Sean Crighton missing the Clyde match through illness, Kerr lined up in the centre of defence alongside vice-captain Callum Fordyce.

 

Handling the threat of League One’s top scorer David Goodwillie with aplomb, the 21-year-old was pleased to be back in the starting eleven having featured sporadically in recent matches.

 

“It’s been frustrating for me personally when I know I’m good enough and I’m performing well in training, but I’ve just had to stay professional and wait for my chance.

 

“I know when I get an opportunity I’ll do my best to take it rather than just going through the motions.”

 

With Andy Ryan and Paul McKay grabbing the vital goals, Kerr came close to getting in on the action himself with a wicked stoppage-time free kick which almost deceived David Mitchell.

 

“I’ve always taken pride in my free-kicks - you get a lot of free-kicks in the game, so it can be a big advantage to have someone that’s good at taking them. I work hard on it.

 

“On another day it could have gone in - and Gal was unlucky with the rebound!”

 

With attention turning to this weekend’s trip to the north-east, Josh expects the weather to play a part again.

 

“It’s a tricky game - it seems like every game we’ve had recently is affected by the wind so we should be used to it now!

 

“I think we just need to concentrate on getting the ball down and playing. We’ve shown that we’re at our best when we do that.

 

“For spells in last week’s game I thought we played our best football yet. With the confidence to play that way anything can happen - we could go on another winning run, and now is the right time to do it.”

 

Manager Ian Murray added: “We’ve done well against Peterhead this season, with two 2-1 victories in very close games.

 

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a very good pitch up there so hopefully the weather holds up for us.”

 

In both matches against the Blue Toon this season Calum Gallagher has found the net with Dale Carrick also scoring from the penalty spot.

 

In October at Balmoor, former Diamond David Ferguson equalised for Jim McInally’s team before Carrick’s winner, while at the Penny Cars in December the Diamonds were 2-0 up before Scott Brown netted a consolation.

 

Carrick (hamstring) misses out this time, along with defender Adam Eckersley (calf) and striker Patrick Pyott (knee).

 

Referee Barry Cook’s only other Airdrie match this season was last month’s goalless draw with Stranraer.