Airdrie bagged their first League One win in six games as they took Montrose apart at New Broomfield.
Lewis Jamieson's hat-trick was added to by a Craig Watson header, and the Diamonds had further chances to add to that lead, as Airdrie moved up to sixth in the table.
The Diamonds sparkled in the first half and were 3-0 up by the interval thanks to a brilliant double by Jamieson and a well crafted goal for Watson.
Jamieson then doubled his tally to six for the season as he sealed his hat-trick five minutes into the second half.
Montrose had a brief flurry at the start of the first period, but other than that didn't offer much, where there was a lot of effort, but not a single save from Dean Lyness.
Jamieson got the ball rolling in 21 minutes with a spectacular shot into the top left corner, before smashing in a cut--back from Calum Gallagher.
Striker Gallagher was in the mood, and his hooked flick-on from a corner on the right to the back post was perfect for Watson to head over the line.
Jamieson bagged his hat-trick five minutes into the second half from a simple ball over the top, and that really put the seal on a comfortable win for the hosts.
Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe made three changes from the side that lost 3-1 at FC Edinburgh last weekend. Cammy Ballantyne, Euan Deveney and Lewis Jamieson came in for Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Dean McMaster and Gabby McGill.
His Montrose counterpart Stewart Petrie made two changes from their 2-0 win over league-leaders Dunfermline last time out, with Matty Wright and Rory McAllister coming in for Paul Watson and Craig Johnston, who were both on the bench.
The first time home fans were able to make some noise came in eight minutes when Calum Gallagher broke free down the left, but his cross for Callum Smith was well defended by Sean Dillon.
Airdrie's next attack deserved so much more in 14 minutes when Gallagher's smart side-heel flick on released Lewis Jamieson on an angle from the left, but his low, powerful shot was well held by Ross Sinclair.
That pressure paid off in style in 21 minutes when a great ball from player-boss McCabe released Jamieson down the right and the on-loan St Mirren star checked inside before curling an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.
Gallagher was inches away from doubling Airdrie's lead with a low, angled shot that whistled past the right post in 23 minutes.
Smith tried his luck with a shot from just inside the box in 32 minutes, but a deflection took it wide of the right.
Airdrie doubled their lead in 38 minutes when Gallagher made his way down the right and his cut-back was smashed high into the net by Jamieson.
Jamieson bagged his hat-trick in 50 minutes when another long ball over the top allowed him to head over outrushing Sinclair and into the net.
Player-boss McCabe nearly got in on the act in 57 minutes, but his curling 20-yard free kick was punched away from the top left corner.
Montrose were reduced to 10 men with about 20 minutes left when Michael Gardyne limped off with all five substitutes used.
Airdrie nearly added a fifth in 82 minutes when Gallagher set up Smith on the left, but Sinclair made a good block at his near post.
Jamieson could have grabbed a fourth on the afternoon for him in 89 minutes, but his low shot was well saved by Sinclair following a flowing Airdrie move.
AIRDRIE: Lyness, Watson, McCabe, Fordyce, Ballantyne, Jamieson, Telfer, Deveney, Devenny (McMaster, 81), Smith, Gallagher.
Subs (not used): Henderson (GK), Taylor-Sinclair, Spalding, Gunn, Kavanagh, Fellows.
MONTROSE: Sinclair, Waddell (Quinn, 59), Dillon, Steeves, Mackinnon, Ballantyne (Watson, 46), Callaghan (Webster, 46), Wright, McAllister (Johnston, 59), Lyons (Watson, 46), Gardyne.
Subs (not used): Lennox (GK), Whatley, Brown, Rennie.
Booked: Waddell (57), Watson (75), Mackinnon (80).
Referee: Dan McFarlane.
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