Sean Higgins struck a crucial double for Ross County as they came from behind to beat battling Airdrie.
The Highlanders moved to within reach of safety with an ultimately assured three points after a shaky first half. They also cut the gap on Airdrie to just a point, but had to battle back from a sluggish first half show.
County were stunned as Airdrie took an effortless lead with their first attack after two minutes. Owen Coyle and Jerome Veraille waltzed through the home defence with a one-two and Alan Gow stabbed home from six yards.
Don Cowie's sudden equaliser came after 44 minutes when young Higgins' pass split the defence. He placed his shot past keeper Mark McGeown, who got his hand to it as it bobbled into the net.
After 57 minutes County were ahead. Substitute Sean Kilgannon struck the post from the left-hand side of the area, and Higgins fired home from the corner of the six-yard box.
The diminutive striker was lethal with the vital third after 78 minutes. John Rankin's free-kick level with the 18-yard line found the youngster in space, and Higgins simply powered the ball past McGeown from six yards.