Elgin City midfielder Daniel Moore believes his side has shown a new-found resilience and determination in recent weeks.
City have climbed off the foot of League 2 following an excellent run, unbeaten in their last five games, results which earned manager Jim Weir the January manager of the month award.
The Black and Whites travel to East Stirling this afternoon, with Shire, managed by former City defender Craig Tully, now four points adrift of Montrose at the bottom of the table.
Moore believes his side is playing with a belief it can defeat anybody and he said: “We are working better together, and we are stronger mentally. Any time we’ve gone a goal down, or decisions have gone against us, we have reacted well.
“The confidence comes with winning games. We took confidence from getting our first win away from home.
“Everyone has been on their game and working hard. We all know our jobs going into games, we’ve got a plan.
“The new loan signings the manager has brought in have been brilliant for us, they’ve given us a big boost. Ross Laidlaw has played really well in goals, he has a big stature and he’s not made a mistake.
“Ally Gilchrist is solid at the back, and is a really good athlete. Craig is also very quick and a good wide outlet in midfield.”
Moore is in his second spell at Borough Briggs, having returned to the club in the summer following an unsuccessful year with Highland League side Nairn County.
The 26-year-old made a name for himself on the left of midfield during his first stint, but has recently been shifted to a central position by Weir, with Moore enjoying the new role.
He added: “I’ve not played on the left of a three-man central midfield since I was at Peterhead.
“It’s different, and I’m enjoying it as I can get stuck out wide and lose touch of the game.”