A second-half penalty from substitute Stephen Stirling proved the difference as Airdrie returned from Stair Park empty-handed.

Stranraer stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games to stay in a play-off spot, while Airdrie’s defeat kept them in second bottom in the table.

The Diamonds failed to find the net for the sixth time in the league which is worrying trend given 5 of their 7 league defeats were by a single goal margin.

With Ben Richards-Everton suspended, Airdrie welcomed Luca Gasparotto back from international duty, while ex-Livingston midfielder Ross Docherty came in as a trialist.

They took the game to their hosts in the opening minutes with attempts from a Prunty header and shot from John Boyle that missed the target.

Strong defences led to good covering blocks when opportunities to hit the target arose.

In 19 minutes Scott Fraser fired wide from the edge of the area, while Willie Gibson also failed to find the goal in 25 minutes.

In 39 minutes Longridge’s long range effort was probably the home side’s first testing effort that was well taken by Andy McNeil.

After the interval a similar pattern emerged.
With 22 minutes remaining Fiztpatrick’s challenge on Stoney saw a penalty awarded and Stirling found the net from the spot.

Malcolm almost added a second on a couple of occasions in the closing quarter of an hour but brought out decent saves by McNeil.

Stoney hit the post with a shot from inside the penalty area in 77 minutes, while Liam Watt went close in the final minute but like most of his side’s shots on the day, it fell wide of the goal.