Airdrie were unfortunate to leave The Falkirk Stadium empty-handed after a strong performance against the league leaders, but an inspired Nicky Hogarth performance kept the Diamonds at bay while second half goals handed the hosts a win.

With injury ruling out defender Lewis Strapp and striker Aaron Reid, there were two changes to the side which drew with Livingston last weekend, player-manager Rhys McCabe coming back from suspension alongside Mason Hancock.

Although it would be Falkirk keeper Hogarth who bagged the Man of the Match award, the Diamonds called on Cade Melrose in the early stages with the keeper saving a first-minute header and repeating the feat four minutes later.

With six minutes played yet another Falkirk header looked bound for the back of the net, but once again Melrose was there to claw the ball off the line.

Ethan Ross clipped the crossbar with a tenth-minute free-kick as the home side continued their relentless start, with the game then beginning to settle as Airdrie were able to get a foot on the ball.

Sean Mackie failed to trouble Melrose with a long-range effort on 15 minutes, and seconds later the defender was back in his own box to block off Lewis McGrattan after good work from Ben Wilson.

Hogarth was out quickly to clear an Adam Frizzell pass before Wilson could take advantage, and Calvin Miller’s shot was too high at the other end a minute later.

Hancock and Dean McMaster linked well midway through the half, but the final ball of a nice passing move was too heavy for the midfielder to keep in play.

Two Falkirk players joined Dylan MacDonald in the book around the half-hour mark, Tom Lang for a bad challenge on McGrattan before Ross saw yellow for simulation on the edge of the Airdrie box.

Hogarth’s first big save came on 31 minutes, diving to deny Hancock after a slaloming run and powerful shot.

Wilson beat the keeper with a flicked effort from the resultant corner, but Brad Spencer was manning the post and was able to make the block.

McGrattan and Wilson countered at speed with four minutes of the half remaining, but the latter was dispossessed after being outnumbered in the box.

The hosts had a gilt-edged opportunity to open the scoring on 44 minutes, Hancocks slip allowing Miller to intercept a pass, but instead of going for goal the Falkirk forward chose to cut the ball back for McMaster to gratefully accept.

Hogarth denied Frizzell with another fine save right on half-time, and the keeper proved unbeatable again in stoppage time as a McCabe corner was turned toward goal.

Half-time saw the introduction of Cammy Bruce as the full-back replaced MacDonald, who had been struggling with a knock since halfway through the first half.

Unfortunately the replacement’s afternoon was to end painfully too, the youngster being helped off after just six minutes of the second period. Flynn Duffy took over as Airdrie’s third right-back of the afternoon.

Hogarth got behind a 54th-minute McCabe free-kick, holding at the second attempt, and a minute later Ross shot over from the edge of the box.

McGrattan tried his luck from 25 yards as play swung from end to end, clearing the bar before Falkirk’s latest retaliation was halted by Hancock.

McGrattan’s pass put Wilson through one-on-one with Hogarth on 59 minutes, but the keeper came out and spread himself to deny the Airdrie striker.

The home side punished the miss a minute later as Miller put them in front, on hand to turn home the loose ball after Melrose had got down to keep out an Oliver shot. The goal stood despite Airdrie’s claims for offside.

The home side pressed for a second but Melrose reacted well to beat goalscorer Miller to a 64th-minute through ball then saved a deflected effort a minute later.

Both sides made personnel changes, and Diamonds sub Ricco Diack almost made an instant impact with a fine run and shot on 70 minutes, but the loanee’s angled effort fizzed just past the post.

The hosts threatened again with 15 minutes remaining, but good defensive work from Frizzell halted one attack before substitute Eamonn Brophy sent a weak effort wide of the target.

Chris Mochrie did brilliantly to lift the ball over Donaldson and tee himself up on 77 minutes, but the midfielder snatched at his shot and Hogarth saved.

The Falkirk keeper denied Mochrie again with eight minutes to play, and a late chance saw Duffy’s touch taking a dangerous cross away from the waiting Finn Yeats.

Deep into stoppage time the home side were awarded a soft penalty when Melrose touched the ball out of Dylan Tait’s path. The Falkirk man went over the keeper’s outstretched arms and referee Euan Anderson pointed to the spot. January signing Scott Arfield despatched the penalty to add gloss to the scoreline.

The Diamonds left the home of the title favourites with nothing to show for their endeavours, but with an extended break before their next match against Queen’s Park, there were plenty of positives to take to Hampden.