Peterhead’s hopes of leaping into the top four of League 1 were dashed as fired-up Stranraer dished out their heaviest defeat of the season at Stair Park.
The Blue Toon went into this contest on a three-game unbeaten run but they were up against it from the moment Willie Gibson put the hosts ahead.
By the end it was Stranraer who leapfrogged Ayr into the play-off places, leaving Peterhead to seek revenge in Saturday’s Scottish Cup game at Balmoor.
The night had started well for the Blue Toon, who looked sharp despite the 260-mile trip south.
However, that was shortlived as the hosts began to assert authority and were in front on 19 minutes when Gibson curled a delightful free kick over the Peterhead wall from 30yd after Sean Winter had been tripped.
Blue Toon goalkeeper Graeme Smith was in fine form and stood up well to deny Jamie Longworth moments later.
However, he was unable to stop the same player doubling the lead two minutes before the hour mark after Gibson split the home defence with an inch perfect pass.
It was all Stranraer and the hosts increased the misery for Jim McInally’s side when Chris Aitken scored from the spot in the 67th minute after Ryan Strachan had bundled over Craig Malcolm in the box.
Nine minutes from the end, Longworth added his second with a decisive finish from a Winter cross before substitute Danny Stoney completed Peterhead’s misery.