Airdrie turned on the style against Dunfermline to move up the table for the second successive week.

The visitors were first to threaten although Millen’s end product in the opening minute was a 25 yard shot that was well over McNeil’s goal.

In virtually their first attack the Diamonds opened the scoring after 3 minutes.

A perfect ball down the left touchline by Richards-Everton was quickly controlled by Paddy Boyle who allowed the ball to drop before drilling a strong pass to the penalty spot. Prunty’s timely run gave him the time to place the ball past keeper Scully, in off the right post.

Prunty was giving former Accies player Page a difficult time with his movement, and in ten minutes he eluded the defender,whose pull back on him as he was about to go past him inside the box was not punished with a penalty award.

A minute later McNeil comfortably gathered Geggan’s headed attempt from a Millen delivery.

Former Diamond Buchanan picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on McNeil after he had collected a loose ball in 13 minutes.

The Airdrie keeper was alert to gather a dangerous Stirling cross from the right in 22 minutes.

Smith should have done better in 24 minutes when he fired wide from ten yards out after a Moffat lay off.

In 33 minutes Whittle ended a good run into the box by firing a shot straight at McNeil.

Lister latched on to the ball inside the penalty area in 36 minutes after Scully had spilled Fraser’s 35 yard curling free kick, but his shot was blocked and the danger cleared.

In first half stoppage time after Prunty raced in behind Page to score, there was disappointment as a late offside flag was shown.

Airdrie eventually got a second goal to provide a cushion, and it came 10 minutes after the restart.

Paddy Boyle once again set up the goal with another drilled cross to the back post that Blockley raced onto, and had time and space to side foot the ball into the net.

2 minutes later persistence almost paid off for Fraser, after he forced his way through then hammered a powerful effort that Scully did well to push away.

Playing with confidence the Diamonds added a 3rd goal in 64 minutes.

A terrific back heel by Prunty led to the ball running into the path of Fitzpatrick who wasted little time in forcing the ball into the net while keeper Scully was only able to help it on the way.

In 76 minutes McNeil made a great save from a Buchanan effort, but he was able to get on the score sheet when he rose to head a late consolation goal in 84 minutes, however it proved no more than that.