Forfar’s run of woeful results continued on Saturday with another home defeat.
The Loons found themselves three goals down before the half-hour mark and despite hitting back with a Scott Martin double either side of the interval, they could not find an equaliser.
Manager Dick Campbell was bitterly disappointed with his players, sharing some choice words in the dressing room before gathering his thoughts to address the media.
The Loons have only recorded one win in their last 10 league outings, a horrible run that has seen Forfar plummet from top of the table to seventh in League One, just four points ahead of neighbours Brechin City at the foot.
“We actually started the game magnificently well,” Campbell said. “We were thinking this was going to be a good day for us.
“We lost a goal. Then we lost another one it was a ricochet across goal that hit two players and went in.
“But then we collapsed. We capitulated. And the third goal to me typifies everything that has been happening to us in the last seven games or so. It was a set piece. We are not renowned for losing set pieces.
“However their attitude to come back into the game was magnificent.
“But the quality just wasn’t there. I am sitting there today with seven players missing. I think that caught up with us.
“What it did show is that the spirit is there in the Forfar jersey. I am disappointed for them at the end of the game not to have anything. And I am disappointed for the fans.”
Airdrie took the lead with their first attack after 13 minutes through Alan Lithgow.
David Cox doubled the visitors’ lead and Mark Fitzpatrick made it 3-0 before the half-hour mark.
There looked to be no way back for Forfar but a minute before the interval Martin stabbed home a Denholm cross from just two yards out.
Six minutes into the second period Forfar reduced the deficit to just one when the on-loan Hibs player hammered home his second from 20 yards.
Despite Forfar pushing all the way, Airdrie came closest to scoring when Taylor Morgan struck the post late on.