Airdrie bagged their fourth League One victory in a row as they ran out comfortable winners over League One basement battlers East Fife at New Broomfield.
The result consolidates Airdrie's third-spot position in the table, while rooting the Fifers firmly to the bottom.
Jordan Allan scored the opener and then set up two others for Adam Frizzell and Dylan Easton as the Diamonds ran riot in the first half.
Airdrie were content to see the game out in the second half, but East Fife nearly pulled their way into the game in 69 minutes when Scott Mercer saw a free-kick well saved from just outside the box.
However, it was a comfortable win for Airdrie in the end, with chances of their own to stretch their lead.
With Airdrie boss Ian Murray out with Covid, it was up to assistant Scott Agnew to take charge. They made three changes to the side that beat Dumbarton on January 2. Adam Frizzell, Jordan Allan and Scott McGill came in for Scott Walker, Matty McDonald and Calum Gallagher.
East Fife gaffer Stevie Crawford made two changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Montrose last time out, with Kevin Smith and Ryan Wallace in for Kieran Millar and suspended Kyle Connell.
Airdrie went into this game with hopes of climbing up to joint-second, while the Fifers hadn't won since October 16, having beat Cove Rangers 4-2 11 games ago.
Airdrie took the lead inside two minutes when Adam Frizzell, Callum Fordyce, Rhys McCabe and Dylan Easton linked well to put Allan clear in the box and he thundered a shot high into the net.
The visitors fought their way back into the game and nearly drew level in 13 minutes when Aaron Dunsmore's low, angled shot flew just past the left post with Max Currie stranded.
But Airdrie doubled their lead in 17 minutes when Kerr McInroy sent Easton down the right and his cross was nodded down by Allan for Frizzell to swivel and smash the ball into the net.
Airdrie had a chance to stretch their lead moments later, but Agnew's curling 19-yard free kick was well taken by Scott Gallacher at the bottom right corner.
Former East Kilbride striker Ryan Blair tried his luck from distance, but Currie parried and gathered his effort in 25 minutes.
Airdrie should have scored a third in 30 minutes when a neat move put Scott McGill through on the left but he pulled his angled shot wide of the right post.
Easton tried his luck with a neat shot on the turn from the left corner of the box in 37 minutes but Gallacher saved well.
Airdrie's Frizzell received a controversial yellow card in 40 minutes when it looked like he was tripped.
At the other end Wallace had a low shot brilliantly saved by Currie, before Smith saw a shot cleared off the line by Agnew.
But Airdrie bagged their third in 43 minutes when Allan sent Easton through and he slipped a low shot through Gallacher's legs and in.
Airdrie's Craig Watson tried his luck with a curling effort in 51 minutes, but it was well saved at the left post.
Wallace tried his luck with a low effort that skidded on the surface, but Currie held it well.
The hosts nearly added a fourth in 56 minutes when Calum Smith sent McInroy through, but his shot was touched round the right post.
East Fife nearly pulled a goal back in 69 minutes but Scott Mercer's free kick from just outside the box was well parried by Currie.
Airdrie saw the game out after that, the only concern a possible injury to Scott McGill that saw him replaced by Scott Walker in 71 minutes.
Wallace did have a late effort for East Fife, but it was well off-target.
AIRDRIE: Currie, Watson, Fordyce, S. McGill (Walker, 71), Agnew, Frizzell (Ritchie, 86), Allan, Easton, McCabe, McInroy, Smith (Kerr, 83).
Subs (not used): Cantley (GK), Quitongo, Gallagher.
Booked: Frizzell (40), Allan (62), McCabe (68), Fordyce (79)
EAST FIFE: Gallacher, Mercer, Steele, C. Higgins, Slattery, Dunsmore (D. Higgins, 46), K. Smith (Semple, 61), McManus, Denholm (Watt, 66), Blair, Wallace.
Subs (not used): J. Smith (GK), Allan, Healy, Newton.
Booked: Wallace (27), Watt (90+4).
Referee: Graham Grainger.
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