Airdrie put in another creditable display in midweek, but goalkeeper Matty Connelly says it’s time to turn performances into wins as the Diamonds travel to face Ayr United.

A Cammy Cooper goal amid some late pressure wasn’t enough for Airdrie to reverse the deficit against St Johnstone on Tuesday night as the league leaders capitalised on a strong first half.

Speaking after the final whistle, keeper Connelly was disappointed not to take something from the game.

“I think it was a game of two halves – in the first half I felt we were a bit penned in. We came out a bit more attacking, a bit more positive, and we took the game to St Johnstone.

“I think they felt that as well. We got the goal, and they felt the pressure of being penned in. We were chasing it and trying to get the second, but unfortunately it never came.”

The rearranged match came hot on the heels of last weekend’s home fixture, in which the Diamonds drew 0-0 with second-placed Raith Rovers.

Connelly was pleased to keep the back door shut, but again lamented the lack of breaks falling Airdrie’s way.

“Getting that first clean sheet was brilliant – obviously not getting the win was unfortunate, especially when you hit the bar with the last kick of the game.

“To get that first shut-out was definitely a positive to take from the game, but we still want to try to get that win. Everyone in there is craving that first win and I think once we get it, the sky’s the limit.”

With two matches already out of the way this week, the fixture list shows no sign of relenting as the Diamonds prepare for another challenge in the shape of Saturday’s visit to Somerset Park.

Ayr United had also suffered a winless start to the campaign, although Scott Brown’s men ended that trend on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 victory at Dunfermline.

With ten straight wins over Airdrie, the Honest Men will be hoping to continue their stranglehold on the fixture, but Connelly says the Diamonds are in determined mood as they prepare for a third match in quick succession.

“The more games the better! They’re obviously coming thick and fast and it is very demanding on everyone, especially the outfield players.

“I think we just go to Somerset with the mindset of trying to get that first win of the season. It’s been positive since the new gaffer’s come in, and I think we just need that first win to try and kick on.”

Having featured in all six games since signing on loan from Motherwell, Matty is pleased to have joined a squad where team spirit is high.

“Honestly I felt quite at home in my first week. The changing room is all similar ages with a couple of older heads to keep everything together, but everyone was brilliant with me.

“It’s a very tight-knit group even though we’re going through a bit of a tough time just now, but everyone’s together and fighting for places, fighting for wins.

“It’s my first time in the league, so I was just trying to get to grips with it for the first few weeks, but I’m quite surprised that the quality is so high. Everyone is close together and it’s a game of moments every week, so hopefully we can take ours come Saturday.”

Also speaking after Tuesday’s match, manager Danny Lennon is ready to pit his wits against another tough opponent.

“It’s a difficult venue to go to, but I’m absolutely loving the preparation and the turnaround in games that we have.

“We’ll dust ourselves down and we’ll continue to plan like we do for every game. We’ll be meticulous, we’ll look at what Ayr United are good at and what we can exploit, but what we have got to do is make sure that we bring our own qualities.

“We saw that in abundance tonight, particularly with the energy in the second half, but we have to be more consistent throughout the 90 minutes.”

The quick turnaround means that Saturday may come too soon for Tuesday’s absentees, with Aidan Wilson (illness) and Chris Mochrie (groin) rated as doubtful alongside Cade Melrose (knee). Dylan MacDonald is also struggling after taking a knock during the match, while fellow defender Cammy Bruce continues to miss out.

Striker Aaron Reid is suspended after his stoppage-time red card.

David Dickinson is back in charge of an Airdrie match after refereeing the Diamonds’ first competitive fixture of the season, July’s 1-0 win at Dundee.

Match tickets are available using the link below, and our DiamondsTV video stream is available to subscribers outwith the Uk & Ireland. As we are without a commentator this week, our audio stream is unfortunately unavailable and our video stream will feature crowd sound only.