PARS boss James McPake believes it's no coincidence that his team's results and performances have improved after key players regained fitness.

And he said that the squad are in good spirits going into tomorrow's crucial clash at Airdrieonians, having taken positives from their draw against Partick Thistle on Saturday.

Dunfermline head to the Excelsior Stadium unbeaten in their last four outings, but are six points and a place behind their opponents in the chase for the final promotion play-off spot.

Former Athletic star Rhys McCabe's side strengthened their grip on fourth place with an impressive midweek success at Raith Rovers, and a win for the Diamonds would put them nine points clear of the Pars with only nine left to play for.

Dunfermline Press:

A victory for McPake's side would take them to within three, and they go into it having lost just two of their last 10 games.

"It coincides with players coming back, and I actually said to the players again in training that we’ve now got two good XIs play against each other," he commented.

"When you’ve got most of your established players in training then it just goes to a different level.

READ MORE: 'It's an important game': Pars boss looks ahead to Diamonds clash

"I don’t think it’s any coincidence you’ve seen the level of performances go up as well.

"You train more than you play and the better standard of training you can get through the week is, over a period of time, going to help you. I think we’re seeing the benefit of that.

"After Saturday’s game there was disappointment, because we were desperate to get the four wins on the bounce but, when you analyse the game and watch it back, you see a lot of positives again.

"There were a lot of good things that happened in the game.

"At the minute, Partick Thistle are the third best team in the league and the fact we’re disappointed coming away with just a point shows just over the last six weeks how far we’ve come.

"We’re looking forward to it. We’re bright and the lads have trained great, aided by the fact we’ve got our training ground up and running."

READ MORE: Pars hail 'landmark moment' as first phase of training ground work is complete

Airdrie themselves are in good form - they've lost just one of their last 10 games, which included an SPFL Trust Trophy Final win over The New Saints, and a 2-0 win at East End in the most recent meeting of the teams last month.

Dunfermline, though, won the previous two this season - both by a 2-1 scoreline - and have won three and drawn three of the last seven meetings of the sides.

Assistant manager, Dave Mackay, alongside reserve team coach, Gary Montignani, and sporting director, Thomas Meggle, went to watch the Diamonds at Stark's Park on Tuesday night, and McPake continued: "The credit you do need to give this Airdrie team is that against a team we have struggled results-wise against, in Raith, they seem to have the opposite effect on them.

"I have seen the game back. In the first-half, they were excellent but I thought Raith were a lot better in the second-half.

"There’s familiarity there. Both squads are pretty similar from last season, with a bit of change and added quality and some development in younger players.

"They’re difficult games against them and they’re normally eventful games, and I think that’s why I’m looking forward to it.

"I said last year, in my opinion, they were the best team we played in League One.

"They were a tough team to play against, and we’ve managed to get results. We’ve had one defeat in seven against them.

"With any team there will be a mutual respect for the opposition from me, my coaching staff and the players.

"We know any team can hurt us if we’re not at it. You’ve got to respect they’re there to win games and cause you problems and they’ll be desperate for a result."