In the historic first meeting between the clubs, it was Airdrie United (featured no fewer than five former Blues) who gave Stranraer a lesson in football, especially in the second half.

Early in the first half the play was confined to the midfield, with neither side committing themselves to the attack, except for a Lurinksy shot after a mixup in the Airdrie defence.

Airdrie stepped up the pressure and a Paul Armstrong cross to William McVey resulted in a powerfully voley which John Hillcoat managed to block in the 23rd minute.

In the 26th minute Airdrie almost took the lead again through Martin Glancy. Jimmy Boyle fired in a cross from the right and found Paul Ronald, the former Stranraer favourite made a short pass to Glancy, who rushed his shot and the ball went over the bar.

Stranraer then began to exert pressure on the home side and Michael Moore almost stunned them with a turn and shot which Mark McGeown parried well. A minute later Moore came even when he glanced a header from Alex Lurinsky's cross inches wide.

An opportunistic 30-yard piledriver from Kenny Brannigan went fling over the bar. Vintage Brannigan.

Only a minute before half-time it was Alex Lurinsky turn. Lurinsky cut through the Airdrie defence into the penalty box, and with a curling shot beat the keeper at the back post.

In the second half Airdrie looked the more confident of the two sides, and in the 50th minute former Stranraer trialist Paul Armstrong grabbed the equaliser. The move was initiated by Liam McVey crossed the ball deep into the box for Paul Ronald. John Hillcoat beat Ronald to the ball, but his clearance land at the feet of Paul Armstrong who lobbed the ball into the net.

Stephen Docherty almost made it two just five minutes later when he found space and fired in a drive just inches wide of the Blues goal. Minutes later he repleted the same move, and again watched the ball go wide.

With only 15 minutes remain poor marking in the Stranraer defence led to Airdrie getting was would prove to be the winner. Martin Glancy slipped down the wing unopposed and his cross was met by the unmarked Paul Ronald. Ronald calmly nodded the ball into the net.

To round of a sorry afternoon for the Blues Michael Moore was dismissed with ten minutes remaining after receiving a second yellow.

Man of the Match: Alex Lurinsky, with shades of Paul Walker and Kevin Finlayson he is a very shrewd summer signing..

Attendance: 1518