Kieran Wright says a positive result is non-negotiable as the Diamonds travel to East End Park aiming to gain ground on ninth-placed Dunfermline Athletic.

In a strange fixture quirk which sees every Championship team face opponents directly above or below them in the standings, the meeting between Airdrie and the Pars could have huge significance at the foot of the table.

Both sides go into the match after league defeats last Saturday, but while the Diamonds went down 2-0 away to Championship leaders Falkirk, goalkeeper Wright kept the tie alive with a string of outstanding saves.

The 25-year-old was pleased with his performance, but not the result.

“It’s always nice as a goalie to make a couple of saves in a game, but I think any other goalie would agree – you’d rather have no saves and come away with the points.

“That’s the harsh reality of football, Falkirk are a good attacking side so you’re bound to have a couple of shots in the game that you need to deal with.”

With Airdrie denied a late lifeline by the thickness of the crossbar as Ben Wilson’s header rebounded back into play – the latest in a run of near misses, denied penalties and disallowed goals – Wright says the Diamonds aren’t getting the rub of the green.

“I think luck’s just not going our way at the minute. If you fling in injuries, fling in how the games go – we’ve been in the games all season, it’s just the one or two wee incidents that happen that go the other way.

“I said at the weekend I don’t think we’re a million miles away. Something will click, and we’ll get back to the way we should be.”

Players and fans alike will be hoping that click comes this Saturday, with the journey to face Dunfermline Athletic looming.

The Pars haven’t had their troubles to seek this season either, currently sitting four points clear of Airdrie in ninth place as both clubs find the going somewhat tougher in their second season since winning promotion to the Championship.

There was nothing between the sides when they drew 1-1 at the Albert Bartlett Stadium last month, Mason Hancock’s second-half header cancelling out Chris Kane’s 28th-minute penalty.

Wright expects a decent match, claiming that both teams are better than their league positions suggest.

“They are closest to us in the league, so it’s a six-pointer at the end of the day. We need to go there and take points regardless, so it’s a massive game.

“Both teams are really unlucky at the minute – Dunfermline have got really good players attacking-wise and good players at the back as well. I think it’s going to be a good game with the individuals up against each other.

“With them having the home advantage it will be more in their favour, however I don’t think we have anything to fear. With the players we’ve got and the ability we’ve got, I think we can go there with confidence and hopefully get a good result.”

And with the Diamonds’ frustrating form bound to come to an end eventually, Kieran believes that one win could be the catalyst for a change in fortunes.

“I think we just need one good result, one good performance when things do go our way, and it’ll kickstart our season.

“I know it’s hard saying that in November, but I do believe that.”

Manager Rhys McCabe also stresses the importance of the outcome – and expects his side to deliver.

“The message to the boys is that it’s a six-pointer, it’s a massive game, and I’m going in there with the mentality that I’m going to win. That’s how I always approach games.

“The games where we’ve faced Dunfermline in the past have always been entertaining affairs. We’re going away from home, so they’ll have a slight advantage on that side, but it’s two teams who are probably struggling for a little bit of form and a little bit of consistency.

“We’ve got to make sure that we prepare right and we work hard, and we’re going on Saturday to get the three points.”

The Diamonds boss doesn’t expect any immediate change to his squad’s injury situation, but reports that the overall picture is beginning to brighten with Aaron Reid and Mason Hancock back on the training pitch this week and Liam McStravick scheduled to join them next week. Terrell Agyemang is expected to be fit for Saturday’s squad having picked up a slight knock against Falkirk.

Colin Steven referees his first Airdrie match of the season. The whistler’s last game featuring the Diamonds was last season’s Premiership play-off second leg against Partick Thistle, with 1-0 home wins over Dundee and Raith Rovers coming before that.

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.