Mason Hancock made his return in last weekend’s Scottish Cup win over Dundee North End, and the defender is now gunning for Queen’s Park as Airdrie look to begin their Championship recovery.

The Diamonds travel to Hampden Park to face the Spiders as league duties recommence, having secured a fourth-round tie at Dumbarton after disposing of the Dokens on Sunday.

Having spent several weeks sidelined with hamstring and groin issues, Hancock was pleased to feature in the fixture – and was happy with the result.

“At the end of the day you want to get through to the next round, that’s the main focus.

“There’s things in there that we can definitely improve on, but there’s a lot of things in there as well that we can take into the game on Saturday and take into future games.

“I think it’s a ticked box at the end of the day, and a win to build off.”

Although Lewis McGregor’s excellent sixth-minute strike proved to be the only goal of the game at North End Park, Hancock believes the result can be a turning point for Airdrie having brought a long winless streak to an end.

“It’s crazy what a win can do for you in football. It’s crazy what a goal can do for you in football.

“Taking everything we can out of the weekend and enjoying that winning feeling – even though there’s much more to come from us – we’ll take that feeling that we’ve missed so much, and it probably adds to the hunger.

“Being more ruthless in front of goal, defending well, being disciplined – just doing the basics right. If you get them right you earn the respect to go and play, and I feel that’s definitely something we’ve been missing recently, and something that we should be looking forward to doing on Saturday.”

A trip to Mount Florida to face Callum Davidson’s Queen’s Park is next up, and Hampden Park has been a happy hunting ground for Hancock in the past.

Just under a year ago the Londoner grabbed his first Airdrie goal as the Diamonds came from behind to seal a season-defining win at the national stadium – and he looks forward to a more coherent performance now that he and his team-mates have a win to build on.

“We’re chasing that three points at the moment, and almost getting away from the gameplan at times. We need to really focus this week, we know what they’re going to be like – we’ve played them enough times.

“We put a decent performance in against them last time round, two mistakes cost goals, and we had a goal chopped off obviously.

“We know how they’re going to play, it’s about going and matching them in the areas they need to be matched, and really implementing our gameplan.”

And looking at the bigger picture, Mason believes there is plenty of time for a Diamonds resurgence.

“We’re only nine points behind where we were this time last season. It doesn’t seem like a lot – some people might think it’s a lot, but we’re not far away at all.

“We’ve got boys coming back from injury, and that makes training better and means you’re playing for your shirt. It drives the standards and gives everyone that extra boost.

“It’s just the Championship for you – the league chops and changes like there’s no tomorrow. We’ve got a bit of catching up to do, but mountains are there to be climbed at the end of the day.”

Diamonds boss Rhys McCabe expects a typically tight match against the Spiders.

“It’ll be a difficult game, they’re coming off the back of a thriller with Partick Thistle and they’re going well in the league. Callum’s got them well-organised and difficult to beat.

“It’s important that we go and try and build on that wee bit of confidence that a win gives you, and be aware of the threats that they’ll pose.

“We were frustrated with the manner of the outcome last time we played them, but that’s football – unfortunately we don’t have VAR at this level. The performance in that game deserved to take something, certainly not to be on the receiving end of a 2-0.

“Saturday’s a new game and there will be changes to both sides, but it sets us up for a good one and that’s what we fully expect.”

The outlook continues to brighten on the injury front, with Dean McMaster in full training this week, Liam McStravick due to return after the weekend, and Cammy Bruce and McCabe himself resuming non-contact training as they continue to work toward a comeback.

Aidan Wilson, Murray Aiken, and Aaron Reid remain sidelined.

Referee Nick Walsh has officiated one other match involving Airdrie this season, October’s 1-0 away defeat to Raith Rovers.

Supporters are advised that there will be no cash gate on the day, all tickets must be purchased in advance. Match tickets are available using the link below, and our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK and Ireland) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams are available.

Drums, megaphones and musical instruments will not be permitted inside the stadium.

Car park access for this match is via Cathcart Road and Kinghorn Drive – no access is available via Aikenhead Road.

Hampden Park is a cashless venue – all transactions within the stadium are card-only.

The bar at the City Stadium is open to both sets of supporters from 12:30pm.