AIRDRIE face Ayr United tonight in the first leg of the SFL1 play-off semi-finals.

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The teams will square off at New Broomfield before heading to Somerset Park this weekend.

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The match is a re-run of the 2009 play-off final which the Honest Men won 3-2 on aggregate.

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And local lad Kieron Stallard says he can't wait to renew a rivalry he considers as Airdrie's biggest.

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"It's only when you play in the games that you begin to understand the rivalry," he said.

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"We've already told the lads who are new to the club that these games will be heated affairs. It's bigger than Albion Rovers for me.

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"I was involved in the four games against them last season and this has become our biggest rivalry in my mind.

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"I wanted us to get Ayr in the play-offs. I wanted to play them again. I think we're due a win against them."

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Diamonds boss Jimmy Boyle reflected on an outstanding final quarter of the campaign but admits Ayr will be difficult opponents.

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The manager added: "But we've went on a fantastic run and it feels good to be in the play-offs.

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"Ayr are a good side. I've watched them twice. It will be tough. But we will stand up together as a team.

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"If we could have played like we have done at the beginning of the season, we might have got closer to the top."

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Airdrie have Jamie Bain and Ryan Donnelly back from suspension this evening but Willie McLaren is still banned.

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Midfielders Graeme Owens and Phil Johnston are injured. Skipper Paul Lovering hopes to recover from a back problem in time to play.