A feisty afternoon in Scotland's League One saw Peterhead reduced to eight men and concede three goals away to Dunfermline Athletic, whilst table toppers Ayr United were dealt a late blow by basement boys Airdrieonians.
The league leaders got off to a shaky start as James Lister put Airdrieonians ahead when his right-footed shot from the centre of the box sailed past the goalkeeper, who might have reacted quicker.
The hosts fought hard after the break, however, and were back on top with only 10 minutes to go when Craig Beattie added to a Peter Murphy strike to put Ayr up by two goals to one.
It looked like plain sailing for Mark Roberts's side from there, but a double hammer blow meant Airdrieonians would be leaving Somerset Park with all three points.
Goals from David Proctor and Jamie Bain in the 87th and 91st minute respectively granted the side propping up the table with a valuable win.
Tempers were flaring all afternoon over in Dunfermline, where visitors Peterhead left having earned three yellow cards, three red cards and on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline.
Jamie Redman was dismissed on the quarter-hour mark, and he was followed by Steven Noble and Jordan Brown in the dying embers of an ugly first half.
The home side kept their head throughout, however, with goals from Josh Falkingham, Gozie Ugwu and a late strike from James Thomas moving The Pars into second place in the division.
The big winners of the day were Forfar Athletic, who made the most of Ayr's late slip-up to leapfrog them into top spot. A comfortable 3-1 win for Dick Campbell's side sees them leading the pack with 14 points from seven games.
Results in full: Ayr United 2-3 Airdrieonians, Dunfermline Athletic 3-0 Peterhead, Forfar 3-1 Brechin City, Stenhousemuir 2-1 Morton, Stranraer 2-0 Stirling
Phil Archbold
