The sending-off of Airdrie's Kevin Barkey in the 27th minute for bringing down Clyde skipper Eddie Malone definitely turned the game in favour of the home side.
Paul McHale scored from the spot to put Clyde in front, although Airdrie should have taken the lead some time before.
Bryan Prunty put Willie McLaren through, and instead of picking out a better placed team mate the Airdrie player decided to go for glory and put a miserable shot trickling past the far post.
Clyde eventually doubled their advantage from a corner. Steven Masterton delivered the kick and a glancing header by Romauld Bouadji at the near post finished up in the back of the Airdrie net.
Airdrie danger man Prunty forced Chris Higgins to concede a corner by heading away the striker's opening effort at the start of the second half, but it was subsequently Clyde who fashioned a three-goal cushion in the 79th minute. Substitutes Kevin McDonald and Alex Williams combined to set up Tom Brighton, who forced the ball over the line despite the attention of at least four Airdrie players.
Airdrie gained some consolation five minutes from the end when the Clyde defence failed to clear their lines and Prunty swung the ball over Paul Jarvie from just outside the penalty box.