It’s bottom versus top as Airdrie travel to The Falkirk Stadium on Saturday, and Chris Mochrie believes the Diamonds can upset the odds and kick-start their season.

Contrasting fortunes since the start of the season have seen Airdrie scrapping for points to move up the table, while the newly-promoted Bairns are leading the charge after an impressive start to their first Championship campaign in five years.

The gulf in form was perfectly illustrated last weekend as John McGlynn’s side romped to a 6-0 win over Morton while the Diamonds lost heavily to local rivals Hamilton Academical.

Midfielder Mochrie says Airdrie must get the 4-0 defeat out of their systems straight away.

“Listen, it’s just something we’ve got to get over as quickly as possible. There’s no point in dwelling on it, it’s not going to help anybody.

“It’s obviously not ideal just now, nobody wants to be in this position – it’s just about trying to get the belief there and get a bit of confidence going, and hopefully we can start building soon.”

Despite the Diamonds’ current form, exacerbated by an ongoing injury crisis, Mochrie maintains that spirits are high within the camp.

“It would be a lot worse if everybody was down and people were falling out, but it’s not been the case.

“We know there’s good enough players in there to go and do well, so that gives us a bit of confidence that if we go on Saturday, play well and get a good result, we can keep building on that. I think that’s just what we’re needing just now.

“It’s just about staying together, working hard, and trying to get something going.”

The immediate task could scarcely be more difficult, with a visit to in-form Falkirk looming. The Bairns won 2-0 the last time the sides met, Dylan Tait and Sean Mackie getting the second half goals in a feisty September encounter at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.

As Airdrie seek to recapture their own early season form, Mochrie says a coupon-busting away win could set the Diamonds up for a resurgence.

“We all know it’s going to be a really tough game. They’re a good side, they’re up there for a reason.

“Last time it was a tough game, especially the second half, so we just want to try and put that right and go out and give a good account of ourselves.

“If we go there and give a good performance and get a positive result, it can give us a lot of belief and give us something to build on.”

The Falkirk Stadium has been a happy hunting ground in recent seasons, with many memorable Airdrie wins in this fixture – not to mention last season’s SPFL Trust Trophy final triumph.

Although Chris wasn’t around for those victories, he has his own fond memories of visits to Falkirk.

“I’ve been there quite a lot. When they were in League 1, I was at Montrose and then again with Dunfermline – even growing up I played there a lot.

“It’s a pitch I’m well acquainted with, and I’ve had good results there as well, so I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s two teams that like to play football, so hopefully it is a good game – and one that we can come out on top of.”

Manager Rhys McCabe is calling for his side to get the fundamentals right.

“I’m personally looking forward to it. We’re under no illusion that it’ll be a very, very difficult game – they’re flying at the moment, playing really well and full of confidence.

“On the flipside of that we’re coming probably not full of much confidence, so everyone’s expecting Falkirk to come out the traps – but it’s about us going and doing the basics well.

“Regardless of whether we’ve got players missing, we’ve got good individuals still here in the squad that are fit and available. We need to defend well of course, but we’ve certainly got enough prowess in the squad just now that we can hurt them.”

The Diamonds boss doesn’t expect any immediate change to his squad’s injury situation, but reports good progress being made by those sidelined.

Calum Scott has refereed one other Airdrie match this season, August’s defeat at Somerset Park.

Match tickets are available using the link below, and our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK and Ireland) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams are available.

Supporters travelling by car are advised that roadworks around The Falkirk Stadium are causing significant delays and extra time should be allowed for your journey.

A two-minute silence will be held prior to kick-off in respect of Remembrance weekend. Fans are advised to arrive at the ground in plenty of time for this, as there will be no admittance to the stadium during this period.