John McG rang the chances with a front pairing of Brazil and Deasley, Raeside replacing Bishop in central defence and Watson starting on left midfield. Bryan Scott came on after 75 minutes
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Robbie Raeside opened the scoring with little over quarter of an hour played before second-half strikes from Paul Watson and Bryan Deasley sealed the rout.
There was little between the sides first half but a defensive lapse after 17 minutes gave Arbroath the lead when Raeside powered home a bullet header.
Stranraer could have levelled before the break but the home side wasted chances as McColm, Mitchell and McConalogue all sent shots just wide.
The next goal was crucial. 12 minutes into the second half Paul Watson connected perfectly with a Flyer cross to steer a volley into the net. Great goal.
And after 74 minutes Arbroath put the result beyond doubt, Deasley scoring the third with a simple strike. Arbroath coasted home
One or two incidents involving fans were reported. No reds or yellows for
Arbroath - we seem to be improving on this front also.
The Stranraer website commented "Stranraer were soundly beaten 0-3 at Stair Park today by an Arbroath side who were as up for it as the Blues weren't.
Goals by Raeside (17), Watson (57) and Deasley (74) saw off a blues team that weren't at the races. Stranraer still stay second in the table as they had points and games in hand but that cushion has already been eaten into as Arbroath now enter the race for 2nd and third spot.
After the game Derek Ferguson was unforgiving in his post match press conference, stating "Only one team had the desire and committment to win it today. I felt we were poor individually and poor as a group out there, i asked some players to do a job for me today and they didn't, i've had words with them and they know my thoughts. I felt we were wanting in midfield today as Arbroath dominated that part of the park and that's clearly an area where we will have to look at come the summer
Well done Lichties
Scotland on Sunday's match
STRANRAER'S title challenge was effectively killed off as they crashed at home to Arbroath. In a one-sided game, the visitors fully deserved their handsome victory.
Robbie Raeside stunned the home fans with a simple opener after 17 minutes, heading powerfully into the net to give Arbroath the lead. Watson then added a spectacular second12 minutes into the second half. He had his back to goal as he met a Kevin McMullen pass but he hooked a stunning volley past Scott Black. Bryan Deasley wrapped up the win.