Airdrie boss Ian Murray insists their Championship play-off final remains on a knife edge after losing a late goal in their first-leg defeat to Morton.
There was eight minutes added on at the Penny Cars Stadium after a host of injuries to Diamonds players and Morton's Robbie Muirhead popped up in the fourth minute of stoppage time to head home the only goal of the night for the Championship side.
Ton take a 1-0 advantage into Friday night's second leg at Cappielow and although League One Airdrie have their work cut out, Murray insists it is far from over and no-one can rule out his side after the results they've pulled off this season.
Murray, whose side fought back from the death in their semi-final with Cove Rangers, said: "It's a blow for us going into the second leg [losing the late goal]. It was going to be difficult at 0-0, but being 1-0 makes it very hard.
"But it's still in the balance.
"I'd be saying if we won 1-0 tonight that it was game on.
"Morton are obviously favourites now for the tie and they are at home, but we try and go there and turn it round to win it.
"And as I stressed to the players in there, if there's anyone who can do that it's us.
"We looked like the schedule was catching up with us a bit.
"That's when injuries come and stress comes, but we just have to weather that.
"We've only got one more game left for one last push.
"If we can turn it around it would be fabulous - and it would be the Airdrie way, wouldn't it?
"We've not made it easy for ourselves this season and we continue to try and run up that hill."
Five hundred Airdrie fans turned out to watch their side for the first time this season, as Covid restriction begin to ease on fans in stadiums.
The Diamonds boss and players applauded the supporters at full-time and Murray was thrilled to have them back.
He added: "I'm delighted they could come and see us, but I'm disappointed with the scoreline. The backing they gave us was excellent.
"I think the players deserved it as well.
"We showed our appreciation to the fans at the end and the message is we'll give everything to turn this tie around to get us in the Championship."
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