Airdrieonians climbed back into second place with a win over Peterhead that equals their best winning scoreline of the season.

Having had a difficult start to 2017, the Diamonds returned to winning ways with a 25-minute spell in the second half that simply blew Peterhead away.

With five minutes on the clock former Diamond Jamie Stevenson’s free kick from the edge of the box was blocked though Simon Ferry reacted and sent the rebound back at goal and Rohan Ferguson collected easily.

Andy Ryan went close to breaking the deadlock three minutes later after fine play by Iain Russell down the left was followed by a decent cross with Kyle Hutton heading the ball back for Ryan whose netbound volley was blocked then cleared upfield.

Rory McAllister also went close to opening the scoring in 16 minutes after he reacted to header back across goal to force Rohan Ferguson into making a superb point blank save.

The visitors took the lead in 36 minutes after a ball into the box found Rory McAllister and the big striker did well to hold off Simon Mensing’s challenge then power the ball into the net past Rohan Ferguson.

The goal was the difference between the sides at the break.

New loan signing Jordan McGregor had to be replaced early on in the second half after failing to shake off a knock picked up before the interval.

Adam Brown's back post cross from the left on 51 minutes saw Ryan just miss out on making contact as he raced for the ball.

As Airdrie continued to search for the equaliser, Brown’s driven corner three minutes later was headed over the crossbar by Joe Gorman.

Jack McKay was next up to go close when he met a 62nd minute lay off by Russell and sent his shot against the post.

Grant Anderson found himself in the clear inside the box but the new Peterhead signing blasted the ball high over bar.

Eventually pressure paid off and in 69 minutes a Sean McIntosh curling cross low into the box saw Jack McKay control it quickly, get sight of the goal then send it past keeper Graeme Smith and into the back of net.

Less than two minutes later, the Diamonds took the lead. Some fine passing play created a chance for Brown and he sent a shot against the post, although Ryan Conroy wasted little time in following up with a powerful effort high into the net.

A third goal arrived almost as quickly when an excellent ball over the last defender by Brown in 76 minutes allowed Andy Ryan to race forward, power into the box then drill the ball low past Smith in off the keeper’s left post.

The home side almost added a fourth goal 2 minutes from time when Andy Ryan’s pass picked out Kyle Hutton inside the penalty are and his shot was blocked by keeper Smith.

A fourth goal did come in stoppage time and it was a case of keeping the best for last.

Substitute Scott Stewart made a timely interception deep inside his own half then powered towards the penalty box before firing the ball past keeper Smith and into the net to round off the scoring just before the final whistle.