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Daily Record
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Paul Thomson

Dunfermline nightmare helped inspire Airdrie's thrashing of Kelty, says Callum Smith

Airdrie striker Callum Smith revealed memories of their Dunfermline flop and other collapses from winning positions this season helped inspire their hammering of Kelty Hearts.

Last month the Diamonds let a 3-0 lead slip against the Pars after going down to 10 men and they were left shell-shocked by a 4-3 defeat.

So with the players sitting in the dressing room at half-time on Saturday 3-0 up, Smith said they were instructed to make sure they finished off Kelty and that aided their 6-1 rout.

Gabby McGill hit a hat-trick, Jack Milne turned the ball into his own net and Calum Gallagher grabbed a special solo goal before Smith completed the scoring for Airdrie late on.

And Smith said: "We did say at half-time, we've been here before lads so don't get complacent.

"Just go and do exactly what we did in the first half and that is exactly what we did.

"At 2-0 or 3-0 the game is not done. Teams in this league are good, with good technical players who can cut you open.

"That can easily happen and we've seen it before. Dunfermline is the perfect example, but we didn't use that specifically.

Airdrie players celebrate early on in the clash with Dunfermline (John Steven)

"So at half-time we said to keep working as hard as we can and it will come good.

"We said don't let it happen and act as if it's a 0-0 game and we went out and did that.

"We actually had quite a hard start to the game.

"We knew Kelty were going to be hard to break down but once we got that first one, the boys were full of confidence, the rest happened from there and we went on and got six."

Kelty pulled a goal back from the penalty spot when Jamie Barjonas netted in the 85th minute and Smith added:"We wanted a clean sheet - everyone wants that - but just a wee bit of slack play has cost us, but that's what happens sometimes."

The result helped end a run of four games without a win for the Diamonds, but it wasn't enough to put them back in the promotion play-off places after rivals Alloa beat Edinburgh.

Airdrie goalscorer Callum Smith in action against Falkirk (John Steven)

Airdrie stayed fifth and sit two points off of both sides going into the final eight games of the season.

Smith said: "It's not been the best run for us but to bounce back like that is the way to do it.

"It's a confidence thing sometimes. When you are in that run of bad form, it is hard to get out of it but there's no better way to score six goals.

"It is getting tight in the table but all we can do is go on a good wee run and try to get ourselves in that play-off position."

Before kick-off, Smith was presented with a framed top to mark 100 games for the club, which he achieved in a 1-1 draw with Kelty Hearts in January.

"That's over 100 games I've played now. I've enjoyed every moment at Airdrie and hopefully that continues," he said.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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