Josh Kerr believes that confidence and momentum could be key to Airdrie’s promotions hopes as the Diamonds prepare to face Cove Rangers.

Defender Kerr gave an assured performance in the 2-1 win over Montrose on Tuesday evening - his first 90 minutes since January following the league shutdown and a double hernia operation.

The 23-year-old is delighted to be back earlier than expected

“It came as a bit of a surprise, I’m not even six weeks post-op but it was good to get back out there.

“I’ve probably been playing through it since October, and I think at my age you can’t keep going on like that so I had to go and get it sorted.

“I’m feeling much better now and hopefully I can get a good run of games.”

The former Celtic and Brighton man certainly did his chances no harm with a commanding performance at the back in the absence of injured captain Sean Crighton.

A Kyle Connell double gave the Diamonds a strong lead before a late Montrose goal made for a tense final ten minutes.

Kerr insists that he and his team-mates were confident of the result.

“I felt we were well worth the win, we started really and well and knocked the stuffing out of Montrose and they had to change formation to try to go toe-to-toe with us.

“Although we sat off a bit towards the end of the game I felt we had earned it and we were comfortable in our shape.”

The win got Airdrie back to winning ways after Partick Thistle had dented their unbeaten run last Saturday. Nonetheless, the Diamonds have only one defeat in seven going into their final two days.

Kerr believes that getting the results required to secure a play-off place would also have a knock-on effect.

“Momentum is massive at this time of the season, it’s important to hit form at the right time and besides the first half at Partick we’ve been in good form.

“The games are still coming thick and fast so if we can keep turning out results you never know where it can take us - but I think we’d be going into the play-offs with confidence.”

With this season’s unusual League One split throwing up a succession of six-pointers, the Diamonds travel north to take on Cove Rangers at Balmoral Stadium on Saturday.

Paul Hartley’s side hold the upper hand so far, taking a point from the Penny Cars Stadium in November despite a sensational Thomas Robert strike, and winning 2-0 at home a month ago with Jamie Masson bagging both goals.

An Airdrie win would set up an exciting final day on Tuesday - and Josh believes the Diamonds can do it.

“Cove are a good side, arguably the best footballing side in the league.

“We’re playing well and we’ve got nothing to fear - we’ll go there aware of what Cove can do, but with full confidence that we can get the three points.”

Manager Ian Murray is also aware of the threat that the Toonsers pose.

“It's our last away game of the regular season, and it’s a very hard one against a team with great home form.

“As ever we want three points to assure ourselves of the play-off spot, and we’ll go there aiming to get them.”

The Diamonds boss confirmed that four players face late fitness checks, with Sean Crighton, Euan O’Reilly, Kyle Connell and Ally Roy all hopeful of making the squad.

You can watch the match on Cove’s CRFC TV platform using the link below.

We’ll have no social media coverage over the weekend as we stand with the rest of Scottish football in response to continuing racist and discriminatory abuse online.

Instead, all of our usual matchday output will be published here on airdriefc.com - check the homepage from 2:00pm for details.