Airdrie's first home win of the season was one of special significance as it was against former Airdrie striker Owen Coyle, now the Saints manager. Not only that, it was the home debut of Bryan Prunty, who played last week as a trialist.
However, the early stages belonged to the Saints and in particular their new star, Jason Scotland. The Trinidad international soon made his presence felt when he opened the scoring after 23 minutes. Picking up a loose ball midway inside Airdrie's half, he cut inside before driving a ferocious 25-yard shot into the net.
Saints' joy, though, was not to last, and three minutes later the scores were level. A cross into the box saw Brian McPhee outjump the keeper, who in a moment of madness crashed into McPhee and in so doing conceded a penalty. Stephen McKeown took the kick and scored easily.
In the second half Airdrie took the lead when Prunty scored following a knockdown from Paul Lovering in the box.
Saints had a chance to pull themselves back level. However, substitute Stephen Dobbie's header landed on the top of the net.
With 15 minutes to go Airdrie manager took off McPhee and replaced him with Gary Twigg. The substitute had only been on the park nine minutes when he scored a cracker. In truth the goal was created by Stephen Docherty, whose lung-bursting run into the box set up Prunty. He in turn crossed into the path of Gary Twigg. Running in at pace he met the ball about 10 yards from goal and headed powerfully into the net.