Airdrieonians were knocked off the League One summit after Cove Rangers struck twice in three minutes late on to win the top of the table clash 2-0.
Cove skipper Mitch Megginson popped up 11 minutes from time to head in off the post from Blair Yule’s cross, before substitute Fraser Fyvie poked home the clincher from Harry Milne’s delivery to send Paul Hartley’s men top of the pile.
Both sides spurned good chance before the late drama.
Rory McAllister flashed a header inches over the crossbar for the visitors in the first half, while Airdrie’s Dylan Easton had a second half strike saved by Stuart McKenzie after his poor clearance had gifted him the ball on the edge of the box.
But it’s Cove who have the bragging rights and they now lead their rivals by two points.
The Diamonds named the same side which beat East Fife last week, with Rico Quitongo starting again in defence after making his return to the squad following alleged racist abuse from one of the club’s own fans.
Cove made two changes from their win over Peterhead as Connor Scully and Jevan Anderson came in for Scott Ross and Shay Logan.
The visitors were first to threaten and Jamie Masson’s thumping strike inside seven minutes was heading for the top corner until Airdrie No. 1 Max Currie produced a fine save to keep it out.
The bright start continued for Paul Hartley’s side and they were a whisker away from taking the lead after 12 minutes. Rory McAllister darted into the front post area to get on the end of an Iain Vigurs corner, and he headed narrowly over the crossbar.
Airdrie were struggling to string passes together early on and Quitongo was a busy man at the back, making a few crucial interceptions to keep Cove at bay but also picking up an early booking for a foul on Mitch Megginson.
Adam Frizzell also picked up yellow card moments later for a high boot on Harry Milne. With a blow to the head, the defender went down the tunnel to be bandaged up as Cove played on with 10 men for a five minute spell.
Callum Smith’s angled drive forced visiting keeper Stuart McKenzie into his first real stop of the game in 31 minutes.
A late tackle by Blair Yule on Frizzell brought a couple of Cove bookings as the midfielder collected a card for his foul and skipper Megginson joined him in the book for his protests to referee Craig Napier.
Three minutes into the second half Airdrie were gifted a golden chance to break the deadlock when McKenzie’s poor clearance fell straight to the feet of Dylan Easton 20 yards out, but the Cove keeper redeemed himself with a strong stop to palm his strike over the top.
McKenzie thwarted Airdrie again in 53 minutes with a diving punch when Callum Fordyce’s header back across goal from an Easton corner looked to be falling for Calum Gallagher to score.
The Diamonds were much more of a threat in the ssecons half and Morgyn Neill got a vital block in to stop Kerr McInroy’s header finding the target at the back post on the hour.
McAllister sent a glancing header wide from Yule’s cross down the other end moments later, before Currie stuck out his leg to turn away a Yule strike at his near post.
Airdrie were pushing for a winner and in 77 minutes Easton created space for a shot with some quick feet in the box, but his effort deflected wide.
But It was Cove who finally found a way through with two goals in three minutes. Megginson broke the deadlock in 79 minutes when his header from Yule’s cross found the back of the net with the help of the car post.
And then Fyvie sealed the points when he tucked home Milne’s cross with the Diamonds’ defence napping.
The Diamonds are in Scottish Cup third round action next week when they travel to League Two Stenhousemuir.
AIRDRIE: Currie, McInroy, Quintongo (Allan, 83), Fordyce, McCabe, Agnew, Gallagher, Easton, Smith, Watson (McGill, 83), Frizzell (McGill, 74).
Bookings: Quitongo, Frizzell
Subs not used: Cantley, Lyons, McDonald, Walker.
COVE: McKenzie, Neil, Strachan, Yule, Milne, Masson (Fyvie, 63), Scully Vigurs, Anderson, Meggison, McCallister (McIntosh, 78).
Scorers: Megginson, Fyvie.
Bookings: Megginson, Yule, Masson
Subs not used: Gourlay, Robertson, Adeyemo.
Ref: Craig Napier
HT: 0-0
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