Three players were sent-off at Cusack Park this afternoon as Westmeath opened their win account in Division 2 of the National Football League.
The hosts' Michael Ennis and Armagh duo Enda McNulty and Martin O'Rourke were all dismissed for their second bookable offences.
Westmeath led 1-05 to 0-04 at half-time thanks to a bizarre goal.
Armagh goalkeeper Ciaran McKinney let a high ball in from Martin Flanagan bounce off his hands and into the net.
Aidan O'Rourke's penalty got the visitors back within three points but without their Crossmaglen players, they were always second best.
The sides were evenly matched during the first quarter with points from Fergal Wilson and Dessie Dolan (free) being replied to by the visitors' Paddy McKeever (free) and Kieran McKeever.
Armagh should have been in front by that stage but Steven McDonnell contrived to kick three early wides and disappointed Armagh manager Peter McDonnell admitted afterwards that his side had "continually failed to take scoring chances."
Flanagan's goal was a real sucker-punch and came at a crucial time for Westmeath as soon after they lost star forward Dolan to an injury.
Points from Martin O'Rourke and McDonnell completed Armagh's first half tally, but two overs from the very effective Wilson, right at the start of the second half, have the Lake county 1-07 to 0-04 to the good.
Flanagan was also making his presence felt in midfield with a couple of penetrating runs, although his shooting did let him down at times.
With time rapidly running out, Aidan O'Rourke's penalty, which saw him slot home into the bottom corner after a foul on Martin O'Rourke, gave Armagh a lifeline.
But with McNulty and O'Rourke joining Ennis on the sidelines, the Ulster side's challenge faltered.
