Airdrie assistant manager Scott Agnew insists “anything can happen in football” after their hopes of catching Cove Rangers suffered a huge blow on Saturday.
The Diamonds had cut the gap at the top of the table to two points last week but Cove went five points clear again at the weekend after Airdrie fought back twice to draw 2-2 with Montrose.
Dylan Easton missed a crucial penalty that would have handed them a vital victory they needed, and Airdrie now need a miracle to deny Cove – currently on a 23-game unbeaten streak – the title with just three games remaining.
A play-off spot is already secured and ahead of welcoming Dumbarton to New Broomfield this weekend, Agnew says the Diamonds will give it their all until it’s impossible for them to win the title.
Agnew, whose side are on a 17-game unbeaten run, said: “Anything can happen and until it’s mathematically done we will still keep fighting.
“It’s about winning the next three games and seeing what happens.
“We are 17 games unbeaten so we will be looking to keep that going.
“If it’s the play-offs we will be ready for that, but if Cove slip up we need to be ready to do the job.
“On Saturday we feel we should have won the game and we had opportunities to win the game, but the Montrose goalkeeper had a few brilliant saves to keep them in it.
“At the same time we’ve lost a couple of goals.
“When you lose two goals and you come from behind twice, you can’t be too unhappy, coming away with a point.
“In the circumstances we needed three points to keep us up there, but I think the performance was okay.
“It was tough to take, but the boys are always positive.
“They’ve taken a couple of sore ones recently. That last minute goal from Cove the other week was tough and on Saturday we had an opportunity with the penalty and we were unlucky with that.
“There’s been disappointments but we are still unbeaten and the boys will stay positive.
“We just need to make sure we focus on ourselves.
“If it becomes mathematically impossible to win the league we will start preparing for the play-offs.”
The visit of Agnew’s former club Dumbarton is sure to provide a stern test of Airdrie’s resolve.
Sons fought back to hold 10-man Airdrie to a 2-2 draw in August, while the Diamonds ran out narrow 3-2 and 1-0 winners in October and January, respectively.
Stevie Farrell’s side are currently fighting it out at the bottom end of League One and sit ninth in the relegation play-off spot.
Agnew added: “Anytime we play Dumbarton it’s a tough game.
“They’ll be ready to battle because of where they are in the table but we are looking to extend our unbeaten run and put in a good performance.
“We’ll be looking to stamp our authority on the game and I’m looking forward to it.
“All we can do is win our game on Saturday and see what Cove have done.”
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