Queen of the South leapfrogged the Diamonds in Division One with a hard-fought win, which was achieved without a host of key players.
Brian McLaughlin sprang the offside trap in the 50th minute and finished with a composed shot.
And Queens keeper Colin Scott made a number of impressive saves throughout the match to keep the home side at bay.
Airdrie lost Neil McGowan and Paul Lovering in the first half after a sickening clash of heads.
Airdrie Utd: McGeown, McManus, Lovering (Barkey 27), McGowan (William Wilson 25), Christie, Docherty, Vareille, Marvyn Wilson, Coyle, McKeown, Roberts. Subs Not Used: Dunn, Grant, Hollis.
Booked: Docherty, McManus.
Queen of South: Colin Scott, Burns, English, McColligan, Wood, Thomson, Bagan, Bowey, McNiven, Payne, McLaughlin. Subs Not Used: Wright, Armstrong, Christopher Scott, Beattie, Robertson.
Booked: Payne, McNiven. Goals: McLaughlin 40.
Ref: E Smith