DENIZ MEHMET admits that Dunfermline's clash at Airdrieonians has a cup final feel and has hailed their turnaround in form that has allowed them to push for the promotion play-offs.

The Pars goalkeeper said that he and his team-mates were confident that their fortunes would turn, after a run of nine games without a win that left them looking nervously at the wrong end of the table, once their injured stars began to return.

They go to the Excelsior Stadium unbeaten in their last four games, and having lost just twice in their last 10, as they attempt to close the gap on their opponents.

With four games left, Athletic are fifth, six points behind the fourth-top Diamonds, who occupy the final Premiership play-off position.

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A win would take James McPake's men to within touching distance, but a defeat would leave their hopes of finishing in the top four all-but-over.

"Yes, I think most games will feel like that now," he replied when asked if it had the feel of being like a cup final.

"With the games running out and everyone so close together on points, this is our first one of potentially four cup finals that we are going to have now. Let’s get the first one done on Saturday and hopefully it goes the way that we want it to go.

"You are always looking here and there throughout the season but, when it comes to this side of the season, the business end of it, you are looking at what’s happening elsewhere.

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"You bring up all different scenarios in your head and thinking what needs to be done elsewhere but it is still very much in our hands which is good to know. We just need to keep our performances up and hopefully keep the good run going that we are on.

"It is good to get away from where we were, sitting ninth at one point looking around the dressing room at each other. We understood the situation that we were in and what was the main reason for causing it.

"We kept our morale high and kept positive amongst ourselves. We knew once everybody started getting back we would come out of it or so we thought we would. Luckily we have done that.

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"We kept our spirits high, kept positive, kept confident in what we were going to do. It was only a matter of time before this blip as we called it goes by. It is nice to be now pushing for the better play-offs, hopefully we can get into that one."

Having battled against former Par Rhys McCabe's Airdrie last season, Mehmet and his Pars pals are extremely familiar with their opponents tomorrow.

He believes there is a "mutual respect" between the players that has been built up over that time, with three of their past seven encounters having been drawn, and the Pars winning three and losing one.

"They are a good side and I think there is a mutual respect from last season with us both coming up," Mehmet continued.

"We have had good chats with them after games and at PFA award events. There is definitely a mutual respect with the boys there and we know that they are a decent enough side.

"They have definitely given us good games and likewise we have given them them. Hopefully Saturday will be another one to add to it.

"It is a good record that we have got against them definitely but, in 90 minutes, anything can happen on the day. It is just a matter of doing our jobs, doing our side of it and hopefully come away with the result that we want.

"We know that is not going to be an easy game, there never is an easy game of football but more so with Airdrie they are a decent footballing side. Like us they like to get the ball down and play when it is possible.

"Hopefully it will be a good game of football."