Leon McCann insists there’s more to come from the in-form Diamonds as they prepare to take on Partick Thistle in the first post-split fixture.

Results on Tuesday evening took Thistle to the top of the League One table, but Airdrie’s win over East Fife secured a top-half finish for the Diamonds and moved them within four points of the summit.

McCann dismisses any notion that the sides may have considered settling for a draw, and believes that the result was a fair one.

“Personally I felt we deserved the win. There wasn’t much in the first half, but in the second half we were better and right now we just seem able to dig out results regardless of how the game’s going.

“A draw was never enough - we don’t go out to draw games, winning is our objective in every single game. Don’t focus on any other results or what’s happening elsewhere, just win our own game.”

The result made it four wins and a draw from Airdrie’s last five matches, with 21-year-old McCann among a number of players turning in some big performances.

The defender is pleased with the part he’s playing in the Diamonds’ impressive displays.

“It’s a good run of form for the boys. Personally I’m happy with my performances, I think I’ve consistently done well since we came back, and every single one of the boys has been excellent.

“We just seem to be able to get these goals that we couldn’t get a few months ago. As a team we feel we’re still getting better, and it’s coming at the right time for the split and the play-offs.”

With only six points separating the top five ahead of the final run of matches, Airdrie now face a trip to Firhill for the second time this season.

Ian McCall’s side have taken the points from both previous meetings. In October, Brian Graham cancelled out Dale Carrick’s opener before Blair Spittal sealed the points for the Jags, while last month’s meeting saw Jack McKay give the Diamonds an early lead before quickfire goals from Scott Tiffoney (2), Graham, and Connor Murray meant that Ally Roy’s late strike was merely a consolation.

Despite Thistle taking maximum points, Leon doesn’t believe that Airdrie have anything to fear from the trip to Maryhill.

“I think in the first game at Firhill we deserved more, we did really well. In the home game against them we started well, but a crazy ten minutes cost us the game.

“I don’t think we need to change too much. If we start well, stay tight-knit at the back and take our chances when they come, we’re more than capable of going there and getting the win.”

“These are just small things we can improve upon, but it would be silly to change a winning side, winning tactics and a winning mentality.”

Manager Ian Murray added: “Finishing in the top five means we face four very hard games now, and we start against the form team in the league - but we go as ever to win, and the squad are in good spirits.”

Defender Josh Kerr has returned from injury earlier than expected for the Diamonds, and is available for selection. Goalkeeper Reece Murdoch continues to miss out.

Referee Grant Irvine takes charge of his third Airdrie match this season, having officiated November’s 3-1 win at Forfar and the 1-0 home defeat to Montrose in December.

You can watch the match live on Partick Thistle’s PPV platform. Click below for details.