Euan Henderson has fond memories of his time on loan at Alloa Athletic as a Hearts youngster – but the Diamonds top scorer is keen to get the job done against his old side when Airdrie travel to the Indodrill on Tuesday evening.

Henderson was back in the side and back on the scoresheet as the Diamonds ended their league season against Greenock Morton on Friday evening. The 1-0 lead had Airdrie safe, but the match was turned on its head when Lewis Strapp was shown a red card on 59 minutes, and Morton equalised to consign the Diamonds to the play-off.

With Morton also in danger while Ross County were breathing down Airdrie’s necks, Friday’s match started in the nervy fashion that Henderson expected.

“I thought the first half was cagey, which is to be expected with what was on the line for both teams.

“I felt we came out in the second half the better team, and we were up until the sending-off which did change the game – unfortunately not in our favour.”

Henderson’s goal was his first since hitting the net against St Mirren in February, and could scarcely have come at a more important time.

Applying the finishing touch after linking intricately with Jamie Barjonas, Dom Thomas and Chris Mochrie, the 25-year-old played down his 19th goal of the season with typical modesty.

“It was a good feeling to help the club in a moment which was needed.

“I always try and help with the attack but it hasn’t quite been clicking for me in front of goal. The chance on Friday was probably the best one I’ve had in a while, so I was happy to take it!”

While Raith’s win over Ross County meant automatic relegation for the Dingwall side, Morton’s equaliser secured their safety and left Airdrie to face the play-offs.

Saturday’s League 1 results saw Queen of the South overtake Alloa Athletic, meaning it’s the Clackmannanshire club who will go head-to-head with the Diamonds in the two-legged semi-final.

The sides have already met twice on cup duty this season, and it was the Wasps who came out on top in July’s Premier Sports Cup tie, Aidan Wilson and Owen Foster trading goals before Henderson punished his old side from the spot. Scott Taggart did the same at the other end two minutes later, and Steven Buchanan’s 89th-minute goal secured the win for Andy Graham’s side.

The scoreline was reversed in December’s KDM Evolution Trophy meeting at the Indodrill, Cammy Cooper and Tate Xavier-Jones putting the Diamonds 2-0 up before Cameron O’Donnell and Buchanan levelled the tie. Dylan MacDonald was the Airdrie hero, coming off the bench to slot home a 77th-minute winner.

Henderson was a second-half substitute in the December meeting having played the entirety of July’s match, and the striker knows that Airdrie won’t have it easy against the Wasps.

“They’ve given us two tough games, because they’re a well organised team and they have a style of play which we need to be ready to combat.

“It will be a stern test, we know that from the previous games and from the season they’ve had.”

And having bagged 14 goals in 28 appearances in Alloa colours during a 2021/22 loan spell, the Diamonds forward is full of praise for Tuesday’s opponents.

“I really enjoyed it there, to be honest.

“Everyone involved with the club was really good with me. There are a lot of good people there.”

Having come through the Championship play-offs last season, Airdrie need no reminder of the gruelling schedule, with Tuesday’s match followed by the return leg on Saturday – and the victors facing a two-legged final next week.

With home advantage at the weekend, Euan believes a win on Tuesday would be hugely beneficial.

“It’s important to try and take a lead back for the second leg. To build an advantage in the first match would take a bit of pressure off Saturday’s home game.

“It’s always a bonus to have that confidence boost that a lead gives you going into a game at home – and obviously we’ll be hoping that we have the chance to carry that on into the final.”

Head coach Aaron Taylor-Sinclair is unwavering in his mantra that full focus has to be on his own side’s performance.

“These games come down to mentality as much as quality. We respect Alloa, but our focus is on imposing ourselves over the two legs.

“If we approach the matches how we have been recently, we’ll give ourselves a strong chance of a positive outcome.”

The Diamonds boss hopes to name a similar squad to that which travelled to Morton, despite a few bumps and bruises sustained during the match.

Referee Grant Irvine has overseen six Airdrie matches already this season, including wins over Montrose, Arbroath, and Greenock Morton.

Match tickets are available using the link below, and while we hope to offer our usual DiamondsTV service to subscribers outwith the UK & Ireland, we await confirmation of available facilities.

The match will be broadcast to a domestic audience as PPV for £9.99 via the Premier Sports Player. See the link below for details on how to purchase Premier Sports.