Adam Frizzell says Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie gives the Diamonds the perfect chance to return to winning ways - but the midfielder doesn’t expect an easy time at Stenhousemuir.

Airdrie slipped to second place in the cinch League 1 table after last weekend’s home defeat by Cove Rangers, who leapfrogged the Diamonds into top spot.

With league duties on hold for a week as the Scottish Cup third round gets underway at Ochilview, Frizzell is hopeful that he and his team-mates can bury the frustration of that loss.

“We were disappointed. I think probably twice against Cove - I don’t know if it’s credit to them, they’re a good side - we’ve not imposed ourself on the game.

“We’ve felt that both times, a couple of lapses of concentration have cost us crucial points. We were in on Sunday and it was just a case of putting it behind us and looking to this week.”

The Diamonds hit back in style with two impressive wins after their last league defeat at Alloa, and Frizzell believes that the cup tie is an ideal opportunity to repeat the feat.

The 23-year-old former Kilmarnock man knows that Stephen Swift’s side will be no pushovers.

“It’s probably the perfect way, a cup game - a wee break from the league and we can try to get back to winning ways in a very important game.

“We played Stenhousemuir in a friendly last month, and I know a couple of boys in their squad as well. They’ve got a very good team, they’ve probably been underperforming in their league.

“We’re under no illusions - it’ll be a very difficult game and we’re going to need to be on top to get the win.”

Despite a delayed start due to injury, Frizzell has turned in consistently impressive performances since joining the Diamonds in the summer and has been impressed by attacking flair shown by his new club.

“We’ve been playing a great style of football. For me, I had a long lay-off, so I’m still getting fitness back. To play the way we have to play we need to work very hard off the ball, and a lot of people don’t realise that.

“As I say, we’re only getting better and we’re all understanding the system etc, so I think the only way is up.”

Adam may be a relative newcomer to the Airdrie squad, but there will be plenty of familiar faces on the pitch with no fewer than five former Diamonds - Sean Crighton, Nat Wedderburn, Adam Brown, Euan O’Reilly and Ryan Tierney - among the Stenny ranks.

Ian Murray’s side were 2-0 winners on their last visit to Ochilview, Paul McKay and Craig Thomson getting the goals in last October’s Betfred Cup fixture.

The Diamonds manager is fully focussed on progression to the fourth round.

“Cup ties are about getting through and being in that draw. It’s a very tough game away from home against a team that’s on a good run.

“They’ll make life hard for us, we know that. We have to trust ourselves, trust our quality and trust our players to go out and perform, but ultimately it is about getting in that next round.”

Defender Josh Kerr and striker Salim Kouider-Aïssa continue to miss out for Airdrie, who have an otherwise clean bill of health.

Referee Steven Kirkland takes charge of his first Airdrie match since the season’s opening competitive fixture, July’s 1-1 draw with Annan Athletic.

Tickets for the match can be purchased in advance using the link below, and fans can also pay at the gate. Live streaming is available through Stenhousemuir’s Warriors TV platform.