Stranraer's hope of avoiding a play-off for first division survival diminished as they floundered at New Broomfield and their closest rivals, Queen of the South, beat second- placed St.Johnstone.
Airdrie were in a relaxed mood, and with first division football secure for next season they were able to play without the shackles of nerves and tension, unlike their opposition.
It took Airdrie 17 minutes to gain the upper hand in a match full of crunching and uncompromising tackles.
Graeme Holmes, who on the stroke of half-time succumbed to one of those crunching tackles, emerged from a midfield ruck and stole a yard before passing into the path of Willie McLaren. The Airdrie winger skipped in front of Stephen Payne before firing home from 14 yards.
McLaren almost got a second with a great free-kick that keeper Barry-John Corr did well to fist away.
Stuart Taylor entered the fray at half-time after Holmes had failed to re-emerge from the tunnel, but frankly failed to impress.
After 72 minutes Airdrie's Bryan Prunty sealed Stranraer's fate . The move began with a pass from Allan McManus to Gary Twigg, whose neat volley was inch-perfect for Prunty who, from the edge of the box, beat the keeper at his far post.
Three minutes from time Airdrie made it three when Kevin Barkey scored a fine goal after being set up on the edge of the box by Prunty.