A raging wind and howling rain made for a see-saw cup tie at Ayr, who looked to make first use of the elements.
After 30 minutes they took the lead when Craig Conway's wind-assisted corner flew in over the head of debut keeper Martin McCaulay.
Stranraer hit back after 43 minutes through Gary McCutcheon after Graham Guy's free-kick was knocked back by David Turnbull.
Ayr raced back upfield and restored their lead through Andrew Ferguson who turned on to a through ball from Tommy Tait.
With the game deep in injury time, Stranraer leveled for a second time, skipper Allan Jenkins doing the spade work and Kevin Gaughan finishing off in style.
The goal feast continued a minute into the second half when Darren Henderson took Ayr ahead for a third time following a cross from Conway.
Stranraer now had the elements at their back, and they went close when a free-kick form Lee Sharp crashed off the upright.
The visitor's pressure eventually paid off after 71 minutes when Sharp's corner was headed home from close range by Derek Wingate.