Cole McKinnon wants Airdrie to get back to winning ways and start climbing the table as the Diamonds prepare to take on Dunfermline Athletic.

A five-match unbeaten run was ended by a late Ross County winner last weekend, but with Tuesday evening’s trip to Arbroath falling foul of Storm Chandra, McKinnon and his team-mates were able to focus fully on Saturday’s trip to East End Park.

Airdrie’s first trip to Dunfermline, a 2-0 defeat in August, came before McKinnon had joined the club, but the midfielder is fully aware of how tricky a venue it can be.

“I think it always is a tough game going away up to Dunfermline. It’s a really good pitch, a big pitch, and obviously they’ve got a big fanbase as well.

“It’s a game we’re looking forward to – it gives us a chance to bounce back, but they’ll be on a high as well. I just hope it’s a good game, and hopefully we can come out on the right end of it.”

The Diamonds have been more dangerous on the road this season, with four consecutive away victories across November and December lifting the side off the foot of the table after a difficult start to the campaign.

The squad prepare for the trip to Fife boosted by the arrival of defenders Adam Devine and Charlie McArthur and forward Robbie Mahon, and McKinnon says the Arbroath postponement has helped their preparations.

“We’ve obviously picked up a few good away wins. It would be good to get more points on the board.

“Going away, it’s going to be a tough game, but it’s one the boys are looking forward to and we’ve got that chance to get a training week in ahead of it.

“It’s good for the new players coming in, it gives them that full week with the squad, so hopefully they’ve integrated well and they’re looking forward to it.”

As well as being a factor in welcoming in new faces, McKinnon believes that the excellent team spirit in the Diamonds dressing room can help the side put together another good run of form.

“The bond is definitely strong. We’ve seen our team bounce back before after defeats, so we just need to knuckle down.

“We know where we are in the league. It’s a tough league, so we need to pick up as many points as possible, and I feel like the team are really good at bouncing back.”

And although Airdrie occupy eighth place in the Championship table having played more games than the sides around them, Cole says there’s no chance of the Diamonds looking over their shoulders.

“We’re always looking upwards, we’re always just trying to catch that team that’s ahead of us.

“I think it might be three points now with Morton, so we’ve blown that chance to go joint with them – but like I said we just need to put that away and look to the next game.”

Head coach Aaron Taylor-Sinclair wants to see his side give a better account of themselves against the Pars, who moved into the top four with last weekend’s win over league leaders St Johnstone.

“They’re going well just now. They’re probably a team that’s got a bit of everything – they can mix it up. It’s always a tough game when we go to East End, so we’re looking forward to it.

“In the two games that we’ve played, we’ve not been at our best. We’ll be looking to put that right.

“In this league it’s about staying in the game – can you be the team that scores first? It gives you a massive chance, you see it across all the fixtures. Normally the team that scores first has got a good chance of winning.”

The Diamonds boss is still without striker Aaron Reid, though captain Aidan Wilson has resumed full training following a hamstring niggle.

Midfielders Rhys Armstrong and Alex King have stepped up their rehab and are expected to be back in contention within a few weeks.

Referee Peter Stuart took charge of the recent 0-0 home draw with Raith Rovers, his only match featuring Airdrie this season.

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.

Please note that tickets are available online in advance only, there will be no cash gate on the day. Refreshment kiosks at East End Park operate on a card-only basis.