Such were the positive vibes emanating from the Airdrie camp that it was easy to forget that the Diamonds remain anchored at the foot of the table despite Saturday’s unexpected victory at East End Park.
A first away win of the season and a first clean sheet since November 2012 helped to nurture the feel-good factor, even after hearing that relegation rivals Arbroath had grabbed a late winner against Stenhousemuir to maintain the two-point gap at the bottom.
One early goal proved enough for Airdrie, and what a strike too as Caolan McAleer, on loan from Partick Thistle, strode on to Nathan Blockley’s pass and rifled a 25-yard rocket past keeper Ryan Scully.
“It was my first professional goal, so I’m pretty pleased,” said McAleer. “I took a touch, saw the keeper and just hit it past him into the top corner. As soon as I hit it I knew it was going in because I caught it so sweetly.
“Hopefully it’ll make it on to the internet. It’s the best goal I’ve scored and probably the best one I’ll ever score.
“I’ve set up three or four this season, but it’s nice to chip in with one of my own. I fancied myself to score today, although I didn’t want to say anything before the game.
“It’s a massive three points for us and our first away win of the season. We’ve played well recently but just not picked up anything.”
Another key contributor to Airdrie’s coupon-busting result was goalkeeper Grant Adam, newly returned to the club after being released by Cowdenbeath and pitched straight into action to become his team’s seventh custodian this season.
Saves from Allan Smith and Ryan Wallace were vital but Adam topped that with a late double stop to deny Josh Falkingham and new signing Lawrence Shankland. He also rode his luck when Smith’s first-half effort came back off the post.
“Dunfermline is a diffficult place to come, and I had to make some saves, but I did,” smiled Adam.
“It’s my job to keep the ball out of the back of the net and hopefully there will be a few more clean sheets this season.
“We did well to get the three points today but we need to start believing in ourselves now. We can take plenty of positives out of this game and build on them.”
The feeling of frustration from the home players and their fans was palpable but, unless the wheels really come off,Dunfermline still appear odds-on to end up in a play-off spot by finishing second.
“We’re obviously disappointed,” said Falkingham.
“We haven’t stuck to our usual standards recently but we’ve been digging deep to get results. If you keep having to do that then eventually it will bite you on the bum.
“There wasn’t any complacency but we didn’t start well enough and we really weren’t able to create many clear-cut chances.
“We got what we deserved today.”