A second half goal from Nikolay Todorov saw Arbroath pick up their first home win of the season to climb to third in the Championship.
There were two changes to the side that faced St Johnstone last Saturday, with Scott Stewart’s enforced absence, seeing him replaced by Ryan Flynn, while Craig Watson came in for the injured Luke Kenny.
The first chance of the afternoon fell the way of the visitors from Lanarkshire, when Euan Henderson intercepted Aaron Muirhead’s ball back to Aidan McAdams, but after taking it around the keeper, he could only send his effort over the bar.
Airdrieonians had started the stronger of the two sides, but the Lichties began to look stronger and went close through Findlay Marshall, with the Aberdeen loanee dragging a shot wide of the right-hand post.
Ross Callachan went down in the middle of the pitch just ten minutes before half-time, with the midfielder unable to continue, as he was replaced by Nikolay Todorov, before Gavin Reilly was also forced off, with Taylor Steven coming on to make his debut, after joining on loan from St Johnstone earlier in the week.
As the wind and rain began to make its way across Gayfield, chances were still at a premium, but that all changed midway through the second half as Arbroath moved in front. Marshall collected the ball in the box and showed good composure to square for Todorov to tap home his second league goal.
Marshall went in search of a quickfire second for the Lichties with a low shot that was easily held by Matthew Connelly in the Airdrie goal.
Arbroath: McAdams; Watson, Muirhead, O’Brien, Wilkie; Cochrane, Flynn; Marshall (Gold, 90), Callachan (Todorov, 35), Dow; Reilly (Steven, 39)
Airdrieonians: Connelly; Ross, Wilson, McGinty, Strapp; McMaster; McGrattan, Telfer, Armstrong; Mochrie, Henderson
