Ian Murray says Airdrie are better prepared for the Championship play-offs this season and hopes that helps them claim promotion.
But the Diamonds gaffer warns that they face a tricky semi-final against Montrose on May 3 and 7, to see who progresses to play against either Queen’s Park or Dunfermline/Ayr United for a place in the second tier.
Last season Airdrie lost to Morton in the final, but Murray says they simply had nothing left in the tank after a hefty schedule.
Following his side’s 5-0 derby win over Clyde at Broadwood on Saturday, Murray said: “Last year was slightly hard circumstances for us, playing three games a week for two or three weeks leading into that.
“We had loads of injuries, boys just ran out of legs a little bit, but we were very unfortunate, I felt, in the final.
“I felt in the first game we deserved to win it against Morton at home, and in the second leg we were out of gas at the end of the day and deservedly lost the match.
“This time around we’ve got to deal with the first game first.”
Montrose have the upper-hand in head-to-head games this season, with two wins and a draw.
The Links Park club won 2-1 on December 7, which is the last league game Airdrie lost before embarking on a 19-game unbeaten run, which included a 4-1 triumph over Montrose at New Broomfield.
Murray said: “Montrose are a really slippy side, they’re a good side and I think the games against each other have shown that this season.
“We’re fully-focused now on Montrose and if we get to the final, great.”
The Diamonds end their League One campaign at home to Peterhead on Saturday and Murray added: “I hope the fans come out and give the boys a good send-off into the play-offs. They deserve that."
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