A display of attacking intensity saw Airdrie ease past Stenhousemuir into the Championship play-off final, and Lewis Strapp says more of the same is required as the Diamonds travel to take on Cove Rangers.

A 5-2 aggregate win saw off the Warriors, with most of the damage done in a thrilling first leg at Ochilview last Tuesday night. Saturday’s 2-1 home win set up a two-legged final against Cove, who beat Queen of the South by the same scoreline on Saturday after a goalless draw in midweek.

Defender Strapp says Airdrie’s strong start was key, and could be again.

“We went up there and we started well, which was nice. Obviously we missed a few chances off the bat and thought it wasn’t going to be our day. Then we had some good finishes from Gratts, and I think we applied ourselves well.

“If we go up there and apply ourselves the same way, start with that kind of intensity, we can hopefully win the game.”

It hasn’t been an easy season for Airdrie by any means, but as key players began to return from injury alongside the acquisition of players like Strapp and Alex Bannon in January, the Diamonds form has picked up and given them a fighting chance at survival.

Strapp expects a difficult encounter against Paul Hartley’s side, but believes the Diamonds have already shown what they are capable of.

“You look at that change of pace when we get into the final third, it’s massive. They might be a wee bit different to Stenny, they might sit in in two banks of four, but hopefully with what we’ve worked on we can counter that and beat them.

“Cove will be a bit more difficult – they’ve got a bit more experience and you can see that they’ve worked on their style of play.

“Going up to Stenny, we started with that intensity – if we go up there and play like that, we’ll hopefully come back with a lead and the game at home may be a bit more comfortable.”

While it was ultimately a points deduction for Hamilton which shifted Airdrie into ninth-place, the points accumulated since Christmas gave the Diamonds the opportunity to leapfrog their Lanarkshire rivals.

With Strapp playing his part in that resurgence, he insists that he and his team-mates are fully focussed on the final push – with a little help from the sidelines.

“I was only in since Christmas, and I’ve spoken to the boys about what it was like before. As the gaffer says, with the six points at Christmas we’ve have bitten anybody’s hand off to be in this situation, to play these meaningful games.

“Hopefully we just apply ourselves for the next week and then we’ve got our holidays to look forward to – but until then we need to focus on the games at hand!

“We’ve set standards with that first game up at Stenhousemuir. We’ll be looking for that again, and if it’s not there I’m sure we’ll be told.”

And having already helped Morton to play-off survival – against Airdrie in 2021 – Lewis is one of a handful of players with final experience. He says the Diamonds have struck the right balance.

“We are a young team and some of them may not have experienced these games, but the boys we’ve got in there are brilliant.

“We’ve got that bit of edge to us when we go into the final third, we can be a wee bit expressive. The gaffer lets us do that.

“Going into these games with a wee bit of experience – it’s not massive, but I’m happy with the team that we’ve got.”

Player-manager Rhys McCabe is happy that his side are ready for the showdown.

“Obviously it’s a final, so Cove will be full of confidence as well. For us, we’ve got to make sure that we approach the game with the same level of professionalism, commitment, and effort as the semi.

“When we perform and bring those elements to our play, we’re a good side. We know that and we’ve shown that in the second part of the season.

“We know what’s on the agenda and what we need to do. Preparation has been really good, the boys are excited and confident – all the emotions that you’d expect going into a big game.”

Mason Hancock (ankle) is rated doubtful for the tie, while fellow defender Aidan Wilson has resumed training after a groin strain. Cammy Bruce (knee) and Aaron Reid (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Referee Lloyd Wilson takes charge of a match featuring Airdrie for the fourth time this season, having previously officiated July’s 4-3 Premier Sports Cup win at Dumbarton, the 3-0 SPFL Trust Trophy win at Queen of the South in September, and last month’s 0-0 draw at Dunfermline Athletic.

Match tickets are available using the link below. Unfortunately we are unable to provide DTVLive streaming for this fixture, but the match is available live on BBC Alba.

Supporters are reminded that the match is all-ticket – there will be no cash gate on the day. Airdrie supporters will be located in standing areas at Balmoral Stadium. Anyone who requires a seat should contact Cove Rangers directly: https://coverangersfc.com/contact/