Airdrie might want to turnaround a 1-0 deficit after a Championship play-off semi-final first leg defeat away at Montrose.
Craig Johnston opened the scoring for the hosts after miscommunication in Airdrie's defence between left-back Brody Paterson and goalkeeper Max Currie.
Sean Dillon had an effort hooked off the Airdrie line as Stewart Petrie's facet stormed into management of the tie.
Dylan Easton quickly hit the put up as Ian Murray's visiting facet look to strike again and discover the shape that noticed them finish their League One marketing campaign 20 video games unbeaten.
They will now want to point out powers of restoration throughout Saturday's second leg on residence soil on the Penny Automobiles Stadium after a uncommon loss.
Murray made 9 adjustments to his rotated Diamonds that drew 1-1 with Peterhead on Saturday, with solely Dunfermline loanee Kyle MacDonald and ahead Gabby McGill remaining.
Each side suffered ache on the play-off stage final yr, with Airdrie trying to go one higher than their remaining defeat to Morton, whereas Montrose have been trying to make amends for his or her final 4 loss in opposition to the identical opposition.
The New Broomhill membership arrived at Hyperlinks Park with a club-record 20-game unbeaten league run behind them however developing in opposition to the final crew to beat them in league motion, method again in December, they have been cautious.
Michael Gardyne's free-kick into their field on 4 minutes confirmed them why. His cross was put right into a harmful space asking for a tap-in however no one might flip it residence.
Montrose had began brighter than their guests however they did not need to work laborious for his or her opener on 9 minutes. It was a present that Airdrie could not afford to present.
What appeared like a innocent scenario quickly proved deadly, as Paterson's move looped over his goalkeeper for Johnston to run in and slot residence.
A rattled away facet have been nearly punished a couple of minutes later when Dillon's header needed to be cleared off the road by Scott Agnew. They needed to regroup after a torrid opening quarter.
McGill acquired a uncommon glimpse of Lanarkshire pleasure up prime on 19 minutes however actually ought to have finished higher, taking a heavy contact as he by means of on objective.
Airdrie have been toiling in assault however something good was coming from recently-crowned PFA League One Participant of the 12 months Easton. The attacking midfielder nearly scored on 33 minutes after good play by Callum Smith however could not advantageous the goal.
He was a lot nearer moments later as he dragged a shot from exterior the field off the put up in a giant probability for his crew.
Lyall Cameron was unlucky not make it 2-0 after 34 minutes, happening a mazy solo run which evaded Currie's objective by a matter of inches.
Extra slack play on the again introduced the Dundee loanee one other alternative 4 minutes from half-time however Currie reacted to palm the ball and finally catch it.
A couple of Lanarkshire claims for penalties handed by as Murray went down the tunnel at half-time with a giant crew speak forward of him after a combined first half.
Calum Gallagher raced in behind for his supervisor in quest of a leveller 10 minutes after play restarted however after reducing inside, might solely trundle an effort large.
A few minutes later and he had one other opening however this was additionally gradual and simple to take care of. Montrose quickly began to show the screw and Currie was alert to take care of a number of crosses inside his field.
Proceedings had became an end-to-end affair and Easton narrowly missed Montrose's backside nook after nice toes exterior the field by teammate Paterson. Gallagher then smashed the side-netting with 20 minutes to go as Lanarkshire frustrations grew.
Frizzell was subsequent to roll a shot large a minute later however Airdrie have all of it to do when the return leg rolls round this weekend.
Montrose XI: Fleming, Ballantyne, Webster, Steeves, Dillon, Masson, Whatley (Watson, 83), Cameron (CF Ballantyne, 73) Gardyne, Johnston, Lyons (Milne, 55).
Subs: Callaghan, Watson, Simpson, Rennie, Middleton, McFarlane.
Booked: Johnston.
Airdrie XI: Currie, Paterson, Fordyce, McCabe, Agnew, Gallagher, Easton, Smith, MacDonald, Frizzell, G McGill (Allan, 74).
Subs: Cantley, Kerr, Afolabi, McDonald, Watson, Walker, S McGill, Devenny.
Booked: Frizzell.
Referee: Graham Grainger.
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