Two fine finishes from Adam Frizzell set Airdrie on the way to a brilliant victory at Raith Rovers in midweek, and the skipper is ready to take on Dunfermline Athletic as the Diamonds look to consolidate fourth place.

The title-chasing hosts were stunned on Tuesday evening as two left-footed efforts from the edge of the box put Airdrie in the driving seat in a four-minute first-half spell at Stark’s Park.

Club captain Frizzell was pleased to get on the scoresheet.

“I was due a goal, definitely - I’ve not scored many this year so I was getting wound up a wee bit! I was saying to the boys I’ve not really had a chance the last wee while.

“When it opened up, big Toddy does well to pull the defender away. The first one, I just hit it - I’m more confident hitting it with the outside of my boot, and it luckily went in the top corner then I go and grab another one.

“I’m gutted I didn’t get the hat-trick, but I’ll save that for Saturday!”

Although a sustained assault after the break saw Raith pull a goal back through substitute Josh Mullin, Lewis McGregor came off the Airdrie bench to seal the points with an excellent run and finish.

Frizzell was delighted to make it four wins out of five this season against Ian Murray’s side.

“I thought first half we were excellent, they’re a very good team and they’ve not beaten us all season - so credit to us, really!

“Second half I thought we retreated a touch and maybe let them back into the game, but Lewis dug us out a hole and it’s a great three points.”


While the outcome of Tuesday’s match was the latest in a long line of memorable scorelines in the Diamonds’ first season back in the Championship, midfielder Frizzell says it counts for nothing unless a promotion play-off place is secured.

“It’s another great result, but nothing’s done yet. It just puts us in a better position, and it’s in our hands now.

“Dunfermline come to us on Saturday, and a win would really put us in a great position to go and grab fourth - and maybe even third with Partick the week after.”

The Pars are Airdrie’s closest rivals in the battle for the top four, and currently sit six points behind the Diamonds in the Championship table.

Last month’s 2-0 win at East End Park, courtesy of former Dunfermline strikers Nikolay Todorov and Gabby McGill, was another big result for Airdrie, but James McPake’s side have been 2-1 victors in the other two meetings this season.

Ewan Otoo and Paul Allan turned things around in August after Craig Watson had given the Diamonds an opening-day lead, and Josh Edwards and Matty Todd were the scorers at the Excelsior in December, with Calum Gallagher grabbing a stoppage-time consolation from the penalty spot.

Adam is pleased to have won the most recent contest, but expects another tight affair against the Fifers.

“We obviously got the result there, but before that we couldn’t beat them, and in League One. It’s largely the same squads so we know what to expect - a very difficult game.

“There’s been nothing between us for probably two years every time we’ve played each other, so I’d imagine it’ll be the same again on Saturday.

“We’ll look to go and win the game and put us in really good stead to go and grab those play-off spots.”

Manager Rhys McCabe points to another huge occasion as the end of the season looms ever closer.

“It’s very similar to the Morton game, almost a six-pointer, but one that we know we’re in the driving seat. We’re at home and we’ve got the ascendancy.

“Dunfermline are coming off the back of a few positive results, and they’re always tough games - stretching back to a year ago. We know what to expect, and likewise they’ll know what to expect from us, so it should make for an entertaining game.”

The Diamonds player-boss remains doubtful with a calf strain, while injury victims Josh Rae (head), Murray Aiken (ankle) and Liam McStravick (knee) are still unavailable.

Grant Irvine referees the tie for the second time this season, having taken charge of the first meeting at East End Park. The whistler has also officiated Airdrie’s 1-1 home draw with Queen’s Park in October, November’s 2-0 home win over Arbroath, the 1-0 Scottish Cup win at Stranraer, and February’s 2-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.

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