Airdrie travel to face Partick Thistle knowing that the Premiership Play-Off quarter final will be settled on the night after an entertaining 2-2 draw on Tuesday, and Mason Hancock is looking forward to another thriller.

Nikolay Todorov and Gabby McGill scored five minutes into each half at the Excelsior, with Luke McBeth and Scott Robinson turning the tide in Thistle’s favour in between, and the sides now meet at the Wyre Stadium for the right to face Raith Rovers in the semi-final.

Defender Hancock was one of many Diamonds to put in a top performance on Tuesday night, and the Englishman relished the occasion.

“It was two sides going at it, it was really enjoyable to play in. On our side, we started well and ended well.

“We just had a ten minute spell in that first half where a few individual mistakes, which are going to happen, caused goals. If you look back on the goals we’ve conceded against them all season, they’ve just come from our mistakes.

“It’s a good result, and we’ll go there fighting on Friday.”

Although Airdrie enjoyed the majority of Tuesday’s attacking play, the final result means that another draw on Friday would see the tie settled by extra-time and possibly penalty kicks.

Hancock believes that the endurance shown by the Diamonds in the first leg bodes well if that comes to pass.

“We’re a fit group of lads, I think you see there at the end - they went to a back five and we had them pinned back.

“We kept the energy on the ball and kept shifting it, and I don’t think their legs enjoyed that! We’ve definitely got the fitness, and we need to take that into Friday’s game.”

Thistle’s third-placed finish in the Championship table hands them home advantage for the second leg, and while Airdrie have failed to get a result at Firhill this season, Hancock doesn’t believe it will be a factor.

“It’s a tough one, obviously you want the home tie. There were times when we could have taken advantage of it more, but we’re well and truly in the game.

“As players we don’t see it as a disadvantage. They’ll make it tough, as we saw the last time we were there, but I don’t think that comes into play too much. We know what’s at stake, we’re all up for it, and we’re just really looking forward to it.”

And as the Diamonds prepare to face Kris Doolan’s side for the sixth and final time this season - with two Partick wins, two draws, and an Airdrie win on the record sheet so far - Mason is sure that he and his team-mates have what it takes to progress.

“We know them individually, we’ve played them enough times.

“It’s just about staying switched on, knowing where their threats are, and if we do that I’m confident we can come away on Friday and go into the semi-final.”

Player-manager Rhys McCabe believes match-fitness will play a big part in the latest instalment of a whirlwind season.

“It’ll be a tough game again. Both teams will be going for it, and I think whatever team’s ability to recover better will win the game, if I’m totally honest. We’ve got a young, fit group in there, so I’m hoping that that plays in our favour.

“Going to Firhill, it’s the same approach - psychologically, lean on experiences that we’ve had, cup wins and play-offs - but ultimately it’s another game of football regardless.

“It is about making sure whatever personnel play and come on in the game are doing their jobs for the team. If we execute that well and do things correctly, then we’ve got a great chance.”

The Diamonds boss is still without goalkeeper Josh Rae (head) and midfielder Liam McStravick (knee), while striker Gabby McGill faces checks on a shoulder injury sustained during Tuesday’s first leg.

Referee Colin Steven is in charge of his third Airdrie match this season, having previously officiated July’s 1-0 Viaplay Cup win over Dundee and the SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final at Raith Rovers in February.

Match tickets are available using the link below, and our DiamondsTV video stream is also available outwith the UK & Ireland.