Dunfermline notched up their fourth home win in a row defeating Aberdeen in an action-packed game at East End Park.

Both sets of players ignored terrible weather conditions to serve up an exciting contest which didn't deserve to have a loser.

Referee Garry Mitchell held two pre-match pitch inspection before allowing the match to go ahead in the freezing fog and ice.

Dunfermline had the best of the early play and it was no surprise when they took the lead in 14th minute.

Stevie Crawford beat the Dons offside trap, racing on to a Steven Hampshire pass before coolly slotting past keeper Ryan Esson from 10 yards.

Conditions began to worsen as the visitors battled their way back into the game, forcing a series of corners eventually which ended with Andy Dow blasting over the bar.

The visitors continued to live dangerously playing the offside trap which Crawford nearly breached again on a couple of occasions.

But the visitors continued to work hard and got a deserved equaliser in 37 minutes after good work by Arild Stavrum at the edge of the Dunfermline box.

The Norwegian striker eventually laid the ball off for David Rowson who gave Ruitenbeek no chance with a tremendous 20-yard drive.

But two minutes later Crawford nearly restored Dunfermline's lead, his lob from the edge of the box beating Esson only to fly inches wide.

Two minutes from the break, Andy Dow put the visitors in front.

The midfielder worked a clever free kick with Derek Young at the edge of the box before driving an unstoppable shot low in to the net.

But within only a minute a minute of the restart, Dunfermline bagged a remarkable equaliser.

Defender Youssef Rossi appeared to be stuck for ideas before he unleashed a tremendous low curling shot from 30 yards which flew just inside Esson's left hand post.

The home side took command and six minutes later raced into the lead.

A high ball from the right was headed down in the box by substitute Marinus Vijkhuizen and Barry Nicholson was on hand to slam the ball high into the net from 12 yards.

After such a frantic start to the second period the game settled down and Aberdeen began to play their way back into the contest.

But Dunfermline continued to look dangerous and Stevie Crawford in particular was causing problems.

In the 78th minute, Crawford raced down the left and crossed to the back post finding Nicholson but this time the midfielder's shot went high over a bar.

At the other end, Ruitenbeek produced a brilliant save from Thomas Solberg's header.

It was the visitors' last chance, Stevie Crawford striking an angled shot at the other end which failed to find the target.

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, Skinner (Vijkhuizen 45), Skerla, Rossi, Nicholson (Dair 81), Ferguson, Scott Thomson, Hampshire (Doesburg 75), McGroarty, Crawford, Moss.

Subs Not Used: Scott Y Thomson, Bullen.

Goals: Crawford 13, Rossi 46, Nicholson 51.

Aberdeen: Esson, McGuire, Whyte, Solberg, McAllister (Mackie 80), Winters, Derek Young (Belabed 72), Rowson, Dow (McNaughton 80), Stavrum, Di Rocco.

Subs Not Used: Preece, Clark.

Booked: Solberg.

Goals: Rowson 37, Dow 44.

Att: 7,194

Ref: G Mitchell (Scotland).