Robbie Mahon starred as Airdrie blew past Elgin City in midweek, and the winger says the Diamonds must bring their cup form into the League 1 campaign – starting with Saturday’s trip to Alloa.

A 5-0 victory got Airdrie back to winning ways in Tuesday’s KDM Evolution Trophy round of 32 tie. Mahon got the ball rolling by winning a first-minute corner, and from his delivery Declan Gallagher nodded down for Lewis Gibson to open the scoring.

The Irish winger went on to grab two assists and a goal of his own, set up by a defensive calamity. Speaking after his dazzling performance, he was pleased with the result.

“It was good to get back out on the pitch, and to be involved in a few goals. A good result and a clean sheet – a good night all round.

“I’ve already got so much stick for the goal! That happens in football, we’ve been on the wrong side of goals like that as well. It’s just that killer instinct that we did have today, I’m glad to get the goal but I think we needed that win after Saturday.“

The win arrested a three-game losing streak, and as the Diamonds turn their attention back to the League 1 campaign, Mahon believes the KDM result will breed confidence.

“It does help. There’s highs and lows in football – that’s part and parcel of the game. We just need to make sure that this wasn’t a one-off and we need to do it again.”

“Most teams in this league can win games, can keep clean sheets, it’s about who does it more often. With the group that we have, we’re very confident that we can do it.”

Saturday sees the first visit of the season to the Indodrill Stadium, with Airdrie already holding the upper hand between the sides after Liam McLeish’s goal settled the September meeting at the Albert Bartlett.

Going back a little further, it was Andy Graham’s side who had the final say in the Diamonds’ relegation from the Championship last season, winning the play-off semi-final 3-1 on aggregate.

Mahon grabbed Airdrie’s solitary goal in that two-legged tie, and the Dubliner expects another difficult encounter with the Clackmannanshire men.

“They’re a good side. We came up against them in the last game of last season and obviously didn’t come out on the right side of that, so there’s that element where you want to beat a team that’s done damage to the club like that.

“We’ve played them here before so we know what to expect, but again it’s just doing what we’re doing – we’re more than capable of scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, we just need to keep that up.”

And although Airdrie are wary of a sting in the tail from the Wasps, Robbie believes the Diamonds’ midweek sparkle can propel them to a positive result on the road.

“That’s the thing with this league, anyone can beat anyone. It’s just if it works on the day.”

“It’s the consistency of it now – if we’re performing consistently at the best of our abilities I think we’ll be a hard team to beat, so we’re obviously confident going into the game.”

Head coach John Rankin, also speaking after Tuesday’s match, is looking for a repeat performance at a difficult venue.

“I always think Alloa is a tough place to go, it’s an intimidating place to go and play football.

“The players need to remain calm on the pitch and replicate what they’ve done tonight when we don’t have the ball, and what they’ve done tonight when they do have the ball.

“If we make sure that we get our organisation right, then we’ve got a chance. Just now it’s about getting that right and getting the tempo of the press right, but again I’m under no illusions – it’s going to be a tough game.”

The Diamonds boss is still expected to be without goalkeepers Ruairidh Adams and Jamie Sneddon, midfielder Zac Butterworth, and strikers Divine Iserhienrhien and Liam McLeish.

Dylan MacDonald and Ewan Simpson will again be given every chance to make the squad, along with defender Sam Fisher who missed out on Tuesday’s match.

Referee Abbie Hendry is in charge of her second match featuring Airdrie this season, having officiated July’s Premier Sports Cup clash with Ross County.

Match tickets are available using the link below. Unfortunately our DTVLive streams are unavailable for this fixture, but we will bring you match highlights on Sunday as usual.