However , County were to win the day, and even though it may not have been reflected in the close scoreline, they were, for the most part, way ahead of Airdrie.
Airdrie's cause was not helped by some suicidal defending on the part of Fraser Coyle who, incidentally, was 'hooked' at half-time.
In the fourth minute he tried to head clear from the edge of the box when a booted clearance was called for. The result was that the ball fell kindly for David Winters, who blasted home from 16 yards.
In truth, these defensive errors only become important when your team-mates fail to score at the other end. And, after Bryan Prunty and Steven McDougall had both come close but missed, Coyle's fate was sealed.
Airdrie managed to equalise just after the half hour when Brian McPhee headed home a Graeme Holmes cross.
However, on the stroke of half time, Coyle's indecision allowed Don Cowie to cross and Sean Higgins rose unmarked at the far post and headed County ahead once again.
Early in the second half County stretched their lead with an opportunist goal from Cowie. A Kevin McKinlay cross into the box was challenged for by Paul Lovering and Cowie. The latter won the contest and drilled a low shot into the back of the net.
Seven minutes later Airdrie won a corner and McDougall took the kick. He passed the ball to McPhee who in turn whipped it into the box. Prunty, sensing what was about to happen, moved into a great position before heading into the net.