A positive result against Hearts B would see Airdrie seeded for the KDM Evolution Trophy knockout stage – but Sam Fisher is wary of a backlash from the young Jambos.

With their squad depleted by international call-ups, the Tynecastle B-team were on the receiving end of a 14-0 drubbing at the hands of Ross County just over a fortnight ago.

At the same time Airdrie were racking up the second biggest tally of the day as they beat Berwick Rangers 7-1. The Diamonds followed that with a sixth straight win as they beat Montrose 1-0.

The streak came to an end on Saturday, but Airdrie remained unbeaten as they came from 2-0 down to rescue a point at East Kilbride.

Speaking after the match, defender Fisher said the Diamonds could have grabbed all three despite giving themselves a mountain to climb.

“It was a tough game, we didn’t give ourselves a great start with a couple of mistakes, but I think the way we played after the second goal we probably should have won the game.

:I think everyone here watching could tell that we were the team that was pushing and we probably should have got the three points in the end.

“We got a couple of great opportunities, but on the day we just couldn’t take them.”

With attention now turning to Tuesday’s match, Airdrie will be pushing to maintain their unbeaten form and secure a result which would see them avoid the Championship teams in the first knockout round.

Fisher believes that scenario would boost the Diamonds’ chances of progression to the lucrative later stages of the competition.

“It’s big for the club. It’ll be a chance to give boys minutes that haven’t had much, but we’re going out for three points again to try and continue the unbeaten run that we’re on at the minute.

“It’ll be a tough game, they took a bit of battering in the last game so they’ll be up for it – and we’ve got to make sure we’re up for it as well.

“There’ll be a lot of young boys in the team and they’ll be looking to prove a point to their coaches. We’ve got to focus on ourselves and hopefully go and get the win.”

Airdrie have already faced B-team opposition in the knockout phase, with Dapo Mebude’s goal ensuring a 1-0 win over an impressive St Mirren B side.

Sam says the Premiership youngsters aren’t necessarily the whipping boys that some may expect.

“It’s tough because it’s a bit of a lose-lose situation. You’re expected to win and if you don’t it’s very poor – but there’s a lot of talented boys playing in these games.

“I can only speak for St Mirren B – it was a difficult game. They were very good on the night, they moved the ball very well, trying to play like their first team, and we fully expect Hearts to be the same.”

Head coach John Rankin is likely to rotate his squad once again for the fixture, and with four wins out of five so far in the competition, the Diamonds boss is keen to end the group phase on a high note.

“Hearts obviously went up to Ross County and had a lot of changes with their boys being on international duty, so they were fairly young in that game.

“I’m expecting a tough game. They’ll be very vibrant, they’ll be running as all young teams do, and it’ll be a difficult game for us.

“We’re obviously through, but I want to be seeded – so we’ll make some changes and make sure we’re ready to go for Tuesday. It’s important to make sure that we continue the run that we’re on.”

Referee Connor Ashwood is in charge of Tuesday’s tie, which kicks off at 7:45pm.

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