Airdrieonians were beaten by Stranraer for the first time this season as they continued their unbeaten run since Stevie Farrell’s appointment as manager in mid-January.

The first 45 minutes saw both sides nullify each other restricting goalmouth action.

With three minutes gone a Jack Leitch corner was met by Andy Ryan whose header was on target but cleared for a corner.

Willie Gibson lined up a 20-yard free kick in 17 minutes that Ryan headed away for a corner.

Scott Agnew created room for himself in 24 minutes then fired a 20-yard effort wide of goal.

Airdrie worked a clever free kick in 34 minutes when Leitch looked to cross a high ball in then slid the ball low into the penalty box but Simon Mensing’s contact was poor from 10 yards out and his shot was easily taken by keeper Cameron Belford.

Stranraer went in front on 53 minutes when a Liam Dick cross from the left wing was headed by Craig Malcolm over Rohan Ferguson who had come off his line.

Three minutes later, defender Morgyn Neill pulled back Jack McKay and was red carded while a spot kick was given. Iain Russell’s penalty kick was well saved by Belford.

Stranraer almost added a second in 59 after Agnew sent in a low shot inside the box that Ferguson blocked, but midfielder Ryan Thomson followed up to send the ball into the net.

Scott Stewart made an excellent run down the left then chased the loose ball taking into the box before firing a powerful angled shot that Belford pushed away for a corner.

On the 90 minute mark a low drilled free kick by Ryan from 20 yards out raced into the net.

In stoppage time Ryan gave Kieran MacDonald a look at goal but his shot lacked power and was comfortably taken by Belford.