Forfar Athletic missed the chance to go second in Scottish League One as their 10 men suffered a 3-1 defeat at Airdrieonians this evening.
Marc Fitzpatrick gave Airdrie a fifth-minute lead which was doubled from the penalty spot on 22 minutes, in the same incident that saw Gavin Malin sent off.
It proved too much of a mountain to climb for the promotion hopefuls and Airdrie killed the game off with Scott Fraser's second-half third.
Defender Fitzpatrick finished off the home side's first attacking venture by sweeping the ball into the bottom left corner following a James Lister pass.
Malin was dismissed after being adjudged to have denied Bryan Prunty a goalscoring opportunity midway through the first half, with Prunty himself nestling the spot kick.
Forfar maintained somewhat of an attacking threat and nearly pulled one back through Gavin Swankie and Chris Templeman efforts which stretched keeper Andrew McNeil.
They tired in the latter stages and were three behind when Fraser converted from close range on 75 minutes, reducing a late reply from Michael Travis, who poked home the rebound of Stephen Husband's parried shot, to a mere consolation.
The three points are not enough to lift Airdrie from seventh, while Forfar remain third and four points adrift of leaders Stranraer.
Joe Fish
