Stranraer edged a rain-soaked battle at Stair Park by the odd goal in five.

 

Airdrie will consider themselves unfortunate not to have taken anything from the encounter after creating a raft of chances, but the Diamonds were ultimately the architects of their own downfall.

 

After joining the club last week, new signings Darryl Duffy and Dale Carrick were both included in the starting line-up and their impact was immediate.

   

With little more than 90 seconds on the clock the two new boys combined to give Airdrie an early lead. Duffy rose to knock the ball on for Carrick,who raced clear of the Stranraer defence and hammered a low 20-yard shot past Cammy Belford to open the scoring.

 

Airdrie’s early passing play was a joy to watch and should have seen them double their lead in seven minutes. Duffy’s volley from 25 yards out saw Belford stretch out a hand and make the save.

 

Willis Furtado followed up and hammered the rebound off the crossbar with the keeper well beaten.

 

As Airdrie continued to press Jake Hastie’s run and cross inside the box was just beyond Carrick at the far post.

 

With 15 minutes gone Duffy weaved into the box but found his attempt blocked by retreating home defenders.

 

The home side’s first threat came two minutes later from a deflected Angus Beith shot which was taken comfortably by Rohan Ferguson.

 

Luke Watt’s 28th minute free kick was pushed away by the busy Belford.

 

Further chances came Airdrie’s way though there was an absence of a killer final pass or accurate header to see the Diamonds add a second goal.

 

Against the run of play in 36 minutes Ferguson failed to deal with David Brownlie’s backpass, and Stephen Okoh reacted to put the ball into the net for the equaliser.

 

In the closing minutes of the first half, both sides went close as Ferguson gathered a low near post effort by Beith, while Jamie Hamill made a last ditch goal line clearance from another netbound shot by Carrick.  

 

Seven minutes after the restart Furtado had a 20-yard shot blocked and a minute later Carrick fired over from inside the box, while Beith tested Ferguson from 20 yards out with the keeper collecting the shot.

 

Belford made another decent save on 57 minutes, pushing away Hastie’s angled effort for a corner.  

 

Airdrie should have retaken the lead in 61 minutes after superb build up play led to Duffy forcing Belford into another fine save as the keeper pushed the ball to his left. Carrick reacted instantly but could only hammer his shot against the post with the ball being cleared upfield.

 

On the counter Stranraer raced in behind the Airdrie backline where Beith set up team-mate Okoh who had time to send the ball into the net and put the home side in front. 

 

Three minutes after falling behind the Diamonds deservedly levelled. An excellent through ball from Duffy put Furtado through on the right hand side and he slid the ball below Belford from inside the box to make it two goals apiece. 

 

Sean McIntosh’s 73rd minute run and pass to Hastie provided another opportunity, but the winger’s shot was wide of the goal. 

 

With quarter of an hour remaining Okoh’s cross picked out Beith who sent the ball into the net to make it 3-2 with the Diamonds defence static.

 

Four minutes from time David Brownlie joined the attack and created some space for himself on the right but could only fire his angled shot high over Belford’s goal.

 

On a difficult surface Airdrie paid for their profligacy in front of goal, and paid the penalty as their unbeaten run came to an end.

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Referee: Mr Kevin Graham

Attendance: 406