Strike partners Bryan Prunty and Jim Lister bagged a double apiece as the Diamonds came from behind to steamroller Stirling.

A second half display with four goals provided Airdrie with the expected 3 points after an indifferent first half.

The previous two meetings had been draws with the Diamonds never having been in front in either contest.

A long ball from the Stirling defence saw Paddy Boyle stretch to reach the ball and concede a corner in 3 minutes. The delivery by Beith struck the far post and ran across the goal line with the home defence static, while McGeachie was alert to touch the ball into the net and stun the home support.

2 minutes later Fraser went down inside the box, with all penalty claims waved aside.

On 9 minutes some fine play by Fraser on the right gave him space to cross for Lister in the centre of the goal who headed the ball wide of the target.

After 11 minutes a strong run by Fraser was followed by a pass wide left for Paddy Boyle and his cross into the box was met by Prunty, but the ball was pushed out by Paterson. Lister then had a go but his effort was also blocked before being cleared upfield.

Fraser’s free kick in 21 minutes saw Lindsay head the ball past the left post.

McGeachie was given room in 25 minutes to race forward to the edge of the Airdrie box and lay the ball off for Stirling whose curled effort was taken easily by McNeil.

A neat back heel by Prunty in 34 minutes set up Fraser who blazed the ball high over the top.

4 minutes later it was Lister’s turn to meet a Fraser free kick and his header was pushed away by Paterson.

As the half time whistle approached a claim for a penalty for handball was waved aside and the visitors took their lead to the break.

It took Airdrie just short of the hour mark for them to break through and as quickly as the first goal came the second followed.

Prunty blasted home the equaliser in 58 minutes from the spot, after Lister chased down his strike partner's pass into the box and was taken down by Paterson for the penalty.

A minute later Lister showed perseverance to pursue what seemed like a lost cause on the left, outside the penalty box and close to the goal line. After eventually taking control of the ball he proceeded to curl a terrific cross into the box that Gilfillan pursued but the ball curled all the way past Paterson into the net at the far side.

Lindsay went closer in the 66th minute than his first half attempt though once again he headed Fraser’s free kick delivery wide of the goal.

A Fraser corner in 69 minutes struck the front post and was cleared away.

Airdrie’s striking partnership combined again in 80 minutes when Prunty raced on to a poor defensive passback then chipped a cross in for Lister to toe poke the ball in for the third goal.

With 7 minutes remaining some excellent control by Lindsay on the edge of the penalty area saw the defender turn and fire a low shot that Paterson failed to hold, and Prunty nipped in to chip the ball over the keeper to round off the scoring.

Into stoppage time Gray fired the ball against the crossbar from a Fraser cross, but the first win over Stirling had ended with just four goals.