With Jaze Kabia picking up a groin injury early on against Dunfermline, Manager Marvin Bartley made one change to the starting 11 with Lewis Gibson coming into the line-up in his place.
Airdrie were sitting two points outside the play-off places going into the game, so it was no surprise that they made the first move, with just 40 seconds on the clock, Kevin Dabrowski was called into action as he punched clear.
But Queens responded quickly and within a minute in their first move up the park, Kieran McKechnie hit a left foot shot from 19 yards that was just too high of the crossbar.
As the game moved from end to end, Dabrowski was again called upon as Callum Smith had a shot, but the big keeper got a strong hand to it to turn it out at the bottom corner.
McKechnie was proving to be a handful and as he showed great perseverance to win the ball, it broke to Ruari Paton, as the striker played it low across goal, it looked like it would sneak in at the far post, but it agonisingly trundled slowly away from the target and although Gibson was closing in, it went out for a goal-kick.
Midway through the first half, former Queens captain, Callum Fordyce now captain of the visitors headed just wide from a corner before Paton won a corner as he hit the ball on the turn. The frontman then got on the end of a Gibson cross, but his header was saved by Queens old stopper, Josh Rae.
As we approached the half hour mark, Gabriel McGill thought he had fired the guests ahead as he turned to hit a left foot shot from 20 yards, but Dabrowski dived across his goal to turn it round the post.
Ten minutes before the break, it was Queens who made the breakthrough, Connor Murrays corner was floated into the box and as it was headed on Euan East rose to nod the ball past Rae to give Queens the lead.
The hosts were playing some good football and as they made a break with a sweeping move, they couldve extended the lead when Paton had a good chance from the middle of the box, but his shot lacked power and it was an easy catch for Rae.
But they kept going and moved the ball around with some good passing play and it paid off with two minutes of the opening 45 remaining. Cammy Logan did well to get in behind to cross into the box, Paton got a touch on it at the front post, but it was young Gibbo who scored as he raced in at the back post to slam the ball into the net.
HALF TIME: Queens 2 Airdrie 0
Looking comfortable and with Airdrie a mountain to climb, Queens gave them a lifeline six minutes into the second half when Stephen Hendrie went to clear the ball but opted for the wrong foot and instead of turning his clearance wide, he lifted the ball into the top corner for a stunning own goal.
McKechnie had been a live wire throughout the game so far and he made a run down the left before cutting back inside, the little winger went down at the edge of the box, it was a little too easy and referee Duncan Williams waved away his claims for a penalty.
Two minutes later, he was again involved, this time to restore Queens two goal advantage. As Murray played a short free kick wide to Gibson, his attempt to lift the ball into the box was deflected back into the path of McKechnie who smashed a right foot volley low past the goalie.
The Diamonds were finding it hard and in particular were struggling to get to grips with McKechnie, his cross come shot was dipping at the top corner, but Rae got a hand to it to keep it out.
Queens looked in control but again shot themselves in the foot as they allowed Airdrie back into it by failing to deal with a corner. As the ball was played in at the near post Cameron Ballantyne knocked it on and as the ball fell to Calum Gallagher, he slotted home at the back post.
The goal turned the game in favour of the visitors and with their tails up, Queens had to show the other side of the game and be resolute in defence. As Airdrie piled everything at them, they stood really strong and made it difficult although, Lachlan Byrds header wasnt too far away.
The Gaffer changed things to soak up the pressure and Queens had the final attempt at goal with six minutes remaining when Paton got on the end of Lee Connellys delivery, but his header was just wide.
FULL TIME: Queens 3 Airdrie 2