MATCH PREVIEW: Airdrieonians v Forfar Atheltic

The ‘Loons’ will make the trip west on Saturday on the back of a four game unbeaten run which has banished any slight relegation worries that their supporters might have harboured and in fact they are now handily placed in fifth position in the table, three points off a play-off spot.

Their opponents on Saturday will also go into the game in fine fettle. Under the stewardship of Gary Bollan who took over from Jimmy Boyle in November, the Lanarkshire outfit have climbed away from the bottom spot in the league table and following last week’s 1-0 win at Gayfield, sit three points above second bottom East Fife.

Jim Lister was the ‘Diamonds’ scorer last Saturday, the only disappointing feature the second half red card administered to midfielder Caolan McAleer which means he will sit out Saturday’s fixture.

Forfar will go into the game minus skipper Gavin Swankie who is ruled out with the calf muscle injury he sustained in last week’s win over Stranraer. Odmar Faeroe also remains on the sidelines with his injury looking likely to keep him out of contention for some time, while Ross Campbell is also a doubt with a slight hamstring tweak.

Youngsters Craig Smith who so nearly netted his first senior team goal in the dying seconds of last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Stranraer and Paul McLellan are both likely to be on the bench.

On the plus side Darren Dods return to the squad ,following his one game ban. He is however due to serve a second one game suspension on the totting up process on Saturday week when East Fife visit Station Park.

All involved at Station Park will be hoping for a repeat on Saturday of the excellent form displayed in recent away trips to Arbroath, Ayr and Stranraer when full points were gleaned and ten goals in total were netted.

Dick Campbell’s ‘troops’ recorded their first ever win at the Excelsior Stadium back in October, while both fixtures between the side’s at Station Park this term have seen each team pick up a point apiece in 3-3 and 1-1 draws.

Saturday’s man in the middle is Ayrshire based school teacher Des Roache who in his younger day was a Scottish international sprinter.