Mason Hancock says Airdrie must take the game to Stenhousemuir in Tuesday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Ochilview.

The defender was one of a number of players rested for the regular season finale against Ayr United on Friday night, but has enjoyed an impressive spell in the first team after recovering from an injury which had dogged his season.

A double against Queen’s Park in last month’s 5-0 win was the icing on the cake for Hancock, who is delighted to be back to his best.

“I’ve really enjoyed my run out in the starting XI the last few months, I was desperate to get back in since Christmas time – sometimes maybe too desperate, rushing myself back too soon to only be out again for a couple weeks.

“To be back playing fit and pain-free is all I wanted for myself, to grab a couple of goals at Hampden is the feeling I’ve missed for quite a spell this season – and then to get back on good form as a team was an even better feeling.”

That good form saw the Diamonds haul themselves into a position to take advantage when Hamilton Academical were docked points for a number of rule breaches, and Hancock says it puts the squad in a healthier position than expected going into the play-offs.

“We’re high in confidence and belief, we have been since the new year. These play-offs are all about mindset, and we know we have the quality within the squad to come out on top in this next two weeks.

“It’s important we approach this week with the correct mindset and play with the confidence we’ve built in ourselves since the new year.”

The first hurdle facing Airdrie is Gary Naysmith’s Stenhousemuir, who secured their place with a win over Dumbarton on Saturday, having dropped out of the top four recently despite a strong season.

There will be plenty of familiar faces on show with no fewer than five ex-Diamonds – Darren Jamieson, Gregor Buchanan, Nat Wedderburn, Euan O’Reilly and Scott McGill – in the Stenny squad.

Hancock expects the Warriors to live up to their nickname as they battle for promotion.

“I expect them to be right up for it, we know this is their cup final. We’ve got a few boys still who came into the Championship this way with the club two seasons ago, and they know how hard it is.

“They’ll be a physical bunch for sure, and they’ll look to play the percentages, but we’re fully focused on how we want to play the game. We believe if we apply our gameplan and style of play from the start then the result will take care of itself.”

And with the home leg to follow on Saturday, Mason is in no doubt as to how important an early advantage could be.

“All the pressure is on us, we are expected to win, our home form the past few months has been great.

“Getting a positive result away from home would be massive, it would take a lot of pressure off of us come Saturday.

“And as I said already, if we approach the game tomorrow night with the right mentality, start the game fast, which we have done really well for a while now, I believe our quality will most definitely shine through, and we will be playing back at home on Saturday in a good place.”

Manager Rhys McCabe is looking forward to the play-off matches after a challenging campaign.

“We're excited as a group. After a difficult start to the season, we always felt that the play-offs were a target we we’re capable of achieving – and we're pleased to be here.

“Of course we’re expecting a tough tie from Stenhousemuir, especially at their place.

“It’s been a good season for them as a club and they’ll be approaching the matches with confidence – but the turnaround in our form means that we can do that too, and we’re raring to go.”

The Diamonds boss is still without Cammy Bruce and Aaron Reid ahead of the short trip to Ochilview, with defender Aidan Wilson aiming to be in contention following a spell out with a leg knock.

Referee Grant Irvine is in charge of his third Airdrie match of the season, having previously officiated August’s 2-2 draw at Hamilton Academical and the 1-0 home defeat to Ayr United in October.

Match tickets are available using the link below, and our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK and Ireland) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams are available.