Callum Smith believes that Saturday’s trip face Alloa Athletic is the ideal opportunity for the Diamonds to get back to winning ways.

Airdrie prepare for a quick return to The Indodrill Stadium having already faced the Wasps home and away this season, with both sides taking the spoils on their own turf.

Gabby McGill and Calum Gallagher handed the Diamonds a 2-0 win at the Excelsior in August, while Conor Sammon got the only goal of the game when the sides met on SPFL Trust Trophy duty three weeks ago.

The Diamonds drew 3-3 with Queen of the South last Saturday, and striker Smith was pleased to see improvement after three consecutive defeats.

“We’re not used to it, but it’s important that the boys get together. I thought we actually played quite well at the weekend in parts - we need to keep the ball out the net, we realise that.

“I think we’re still playing well and if we just eradicate the wee bits that we’re getting wrong, then we won’t be far away from it.

“It’s hard to put your finger on when you’re conceding goals. We’re creating chances which is the main thing - you’d be worried if it was both.”

Smith grabbed Airdrie’s third goal in an end-to-end thriller against the Doonhamers, and was pleased to be back on the scoresheet for the first time since netting a double in September’s 5-0 win against Clyde.

The 22-year-old says his own game is starting to click into gear.

“I think I’m starting to get a bit fitter now, at the start of the season I wasn’t as match-sharp as I could be.

“The last few weeks I’ve started to feel a bit more like myself again and I’m just hoping to get those goals.”

After previously spending time on loan at Alloa in 2018, Callum is hoping to continue last season’s form against the Wasps, having scored three times against his old club.

He believes a win at a difficult venue is exactly what the Diamonds need.

“We won there last year and we got beat there last year, so we know they can turn up and we know they’re a good side. If we go there and play our normal game, we should be fine.

“We’re feeling sharp. Even though it’s not been a great run of form, the boys are still raring to go and still looking forward to games as always.

“Alloa’s a tough place to go - if you get a win there then the boys are back flying again and nobody speaks about the last result. We’re looking forward to it.”

Player/assistant manager Callum Fordyce wants to see his side working hard for a result against Brian Rice’s men.

“Alloa are a good side and Chipper’s a good, experienced manager who’s been around the game for a long time.

“They’ve got good players - it’s a physical game, they like to put balls in the box that you need to stand up to and defend. We’ve done that in the past, albeit it we got a defeat the last time.

“It’s about us going out there, rolling the sleeves up at times, and trying to get the three points.”

Fordyce and player/manager Rhys McCabe have personnel issues to deal with ahead of the trip, with defender Cammy Ballantyne suspended following his red card last weekend. Goalkeeper Josh Rae (shoulder) and midfielder Adam Frizzell (ankle) are both expected to face another 6-8 weeks on the sidelines.

Scott Lambie referees the Indodrill tie. Match ticket and streaming information are available using the link below.