Dale Hilson's strike, after an Alan Lithgow mistake, gave
Forfar hope late on.
Forfar began slowly despite Brechin's depleted squad, but scored in 20 minutes.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie - who will use the Earl and Countess of
Forfar title during Scots visits - tried the pastry products at bakers McLaren's and Saddler's.
They also received gifts including a fiddle tune composed in their honour and a specially designed earl of
Forfar tartan on what Edward said was a "splendid" welcome to the town.
However,
Forfar have confirmed that will now not take place following talks between Eckersley and Weir.
Forfar started brightly and carved out several opportunities with Mark Millar and MichaelTravis coming close in quick succession.
The home side dominated from start to finish but
Forfar scored twice with breakaways.
So instead of joining 4,600 fans packed into
Forfar's tiny Station Park ground, Barry drove from his home in Southampton, Hants, to the Travel Inn in Lockerbie and stayed for just three hours to watch the game.
Airdrie stunned
Forfar with a double in ten minutes.
And only three minutes later they were two up when, from Paul Harvey's corner, Cooper rose above Alan McKillop to power a header past
Forfar keeper Gordon Arthur from the edge of the box.
Dylan Easton grabbed
Forfar a lifeline on the stroke of halftime and Brad Spencer's screamer 12 minutes from time salvaged a point for the Loons.