Dunfermline's firm hopes of European football next season disappeared after a drab goalless draw with third-placed Aberdeen at East End Park.

The home side had to beat the Dons in order to give themselves any chance of a UEFA Cup place but failed to breach the well-organised Dons defence.

Despite having the majority of possession and the better of the attacking play, Dunfermline failed to get a breakthrough and it was the Dons who left Fife happier.

Aberdeen were cheered on by a large and vociferous travelling support as they sought the three points which would take them closer to the coveted European place.

But it was Dunfermline who forced the early pressure with a Stevie Crawford cross from the left in the first minute causing the visitors' defence problems.

Crawford set up Senegal international Seyni N'Diaye whose shot from eight yards was blocked by Aberdeen goalkeeper Peter Kjaer.

Aberdeen's first effort on goal came in the 17th minute but defender Kevin McNaughton's shot from 30 yards flew high over the Dunfermline bar watched by unconcerned keeper Marco Ruitenbeek.

The home side looked the more dangerous and a Crawford shot from 25 yards had Kjaer scrambling to his left to save.

In the 18th minute, Crawford again had a left-foot shot - this time from 15 yards - which flew wide of the left-hand post.

But the home side failed to capitalise on their territorial dominance and, while the visitors posed little threat in attack, the defence tightened up allowing little space for the home attackers to exploit.

In the 34th minute, McNaughton again blasted a long-range shot over the bar when there seemed better options available.

Three minutes later, at the other end, Dunfermline defender Andrius Skerla should have scored with a header from close-range but Kjaer was able to save on the line.

The second half began on a more exciting note and, within a minute of the re-start, the visitors had forced a corner when Dunfermline defender Gus MacPherson had to head a dangerous McNaughton cross past the post.

There was no joy from the corner but, moments later, Dons striker Darren Mackie headed a Leon Mike cross narrowly past the post with Ruitenbeek beaten.

The home side fought back and, in the 57th minute, Crawford found himself free in the Aberdeen box but his angled shot from 15 yards could only find the side-netting.

As the home side pushed hard for the breakthrough, Crawford was unlucky not to get on to the end of a Gary Mason cross to the back post.

In the 74th minute, goalkeeper Kjaer was forced off the field to be replaced by David Preece.

But, in the closing stages, neither side could fashion any clear-cut chances and had to settle for a draw.

Teams

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, MacPherson, Skerla, Skinner (Karnebeek 81), Scott Thomson, Dair, Nicholson, Mason, Crawford, N'Diaye (Rossi 64), Bullen (Nish 87).

Subs Not Used: Scott Y Thomson, Kilgannon.

Booked: Skinner.

Aberdeen: Kjaer (Preece 75), McNaughton, McAllister, McGuire, Anderson, Bisconti, Derek Young, Mike (Dadi 73), Winters (Thornley 83), Mackie, Tiernan.

Subs Not Used: Rutkiewicz, Clark.

Booked: Bisconti.

Att: 7,339

Ref: H Dallas (Scotland).