Kian Taylor says confidence is key as the Diamonds look forward to facing Queen of the South after two morale-boosting victories.

After a run of three league defeats, Airdrie got back to winning ways in style with a 5-0 victory over Elgin City in the KDM Evolution Trophy, before Josh Gentles grabbed a late winner in Saturday’s league match against Alloa Athletic.

The Diamonds look to build on a big three points as they welcome the Doonhamers to the Albert Bartlett Stadium this weekend, and Taylor says spirits have been successfully lifted in the home dressing room.

“Confidence is high around the building. I think you look back at the last two games especially, on the weekend we made it hard for ourselves – it could have been three, four, five, the same as Elgin, but it wasn’t and we dug in.

“We got a last-minute winner which is good as well, so we’re taking full confidence into Saturday.”

21-year-old midfielder Taylor has played an important role in marshalling the central area in those last two victories, and the former Preston North End man is pleased to be back in the side in the face of stiff competition.

“You’re always going to have ups and downs in football, but I’m back to feeling strong and my confidence in myself is high.

“If there’s no competition you can become slack, and you don’t want that. You see it in the goalkeeping department, it’s all over the pitch and it’s healthy.”

Saturday’s opponents Queen of the South sit eighth in the William Hill League 1 table, having picked up their form in recent weeks despite a difficult start to their campaign.

That turnaround began with September’s home win against the Diamonds, in which Nicky Clark’s side came from behind with goals from Cole Coughlin and Zander Mackenzie securing a 2-1 win after Liam McLeish had opened the scoring.

Taylor says that result against the then bottom side proves that there are no easy matches at this level.

“I think they’ve picked up in recent weeks, so I expect them to make it difficult. We’ve got to concentrate on what we do, and as long as we do that we’ll be fine.

“As the season grows, every team will become a different animal. Everyone will get better, I think you’re starting to see that with the way the league’s taking place.”

And with the possibility that a home win would move Airdrie closer to the top four, Kian believes it’s time for the Diamonds to launch another winning run.

“There will come a point where we need to start looking up and creating a gap, and that’s what we’ll look to do.

“We’ve got back-to-back wins now that we want to build on, and have a run if possible. I’ve got full confidence in the lads that we can do that.”

Head coach John Rankin is looking forward to once again pitting his wits against Nicky Clark and his father – Airdrie legend Sandy.

“It’s a different team entirely from what we played last time. They’ve got loan players in, and they made a couple of signings just before we played them, so they’re settled in now.

“We’re expecting a tough game, Nicky and his old man set up teams really well, but when teams come here we need to try to get three points – that’s the objective any time anybody comes here.

“That doesn’t change, but we need to be aware of their strengths. They’ve got good players in the attacking third, and it’s just making sure that we’re defensively strong – and aggressive and physical at the right stage of the game.”

The Diamonds boss still has a troubling injury list to contend with, with goalkeepers Jamie Sneddon (shoulder) and Ruairidh Adams (hip) missing, alongside midfielders Cole McKinnon (hip) and AJ Bridge (stomach), and strikers Liam McLeish (foot) and Divine Iserhienrhien (jaw).

Midfielders Ewan Simpson (shoulder) and Zac Butterworth (hamstring) have both resumed light training, but are unlikely to be involved.

Referee Gary Hanvidge takes charge of a match featuring Airdrie for the first time.

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