Airdrieonians manager John Rankin admitted he is "desperate to win" his first league match for his local club after another frustrating draw extended his winless start to five league games.
The Diamonds were held to a goalless stalemate by East Fife at New Broomfield, with Dick Campbell's side proving a robust outfit to break down. Airdrie struggled to muster many shots on goal in search of their first victory of the 2026-27 league campaign.
Gallagher hits the crossbar
The odds were in Airdrie's favour, as the last time East Fife defeated them in a league match was December 5, 2020, and Rankin's rearguard was rarely threatened. Airdrie's best chance of breaking the deadlock came when Gavin Gallagher rattled the crossbar with a ferocious drive in an otherwise toothless attacking display.
But it is the lack of firepower that is the manager's greatest concern, despite adding Rangers striker Josh Gentles to his squad, with the forward making his debut from the bench in the second half.
Rankin bemoans final-third quality
"I think physically we matched East Fife, which was a big ask when you look at the players and how experienced they are," Rankin told Lanarkshire Live Sport. "So I think we matched them physically, which was really pleasing. But on the other side, I think in possession, we need to be so much better."
"I think when you look at the positions that we got into, I thought our quality in the final third and the final ball was poor. I think the decision-making was right, I think the execution was wrong. And when you get into those areas, with the quality that we have, it's maybe just an off day on that side."
"When you look at the way we've been recently, the players have been creating chances. Maybe not taking them, but they're creating chances. Defensively, I thought we were solid today. We didn't look like we were going to concede, but we didn't look like we were going to score either."
Strikers frustrated by lack of service
"Although we got into really good areas, the strikers will be frustrated because of the lack of service that they had. But that's not because of a lack of quality. That's just a lack of confidence at this moment in time."
"So listen, we'll get there. It's a layer added today in regards to getting a clean sheet, something to build on, but I've seen the commitment and desire the players possessed to play against a physical East Fife team. And we matched that. But I'm really disappointed with the quality that we have."
It is now five games without a league win for Rankin, and they face a big game next week against fellow strugglers Queen of the South. The Doonhamers are also without a win - or a single point - and sit three points below Airdrie at the foot of League One.
Rankin: 'I'm desperate to win'
The Airdrie native admits he is crying out for that first victory. Rankin added: "You want to win a league game as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we've not been able to do that yet.
"I'm desperate to win. I've got a lot of people in the crowd, a lot of people in the area that I know. I used to come here and watch Airdrie when I was a kid at Broomfield, and Clyde, so I'm not just continually saying that I want to do well here."
"It's a good club, good infrastructure, all the facilities, good young players. The only thing right now is that we're not getting results on the pitch, but we're doing all the right things behind the scenes."
"The infrastructure, the way Paul [Hetherington], the owner, sets everything up, he wants us to succeed. And I'm determined to make that happen. And again, we've got the right coaching staff, the right players in the building.
"We just need to make sure that we continue to do the right things and build it slowly and surely and make it a success."
