Aberdeen again blew a chance to enter the top half of the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a dismal performance against resolute Dunfermline who secured only their fourth point in 10 games.

Allan McGregor was rarely troubled throughout a dull encounter, with his diving save from Barry Nicholson's 43rd-minute volley the closest the home side game to scoring.

Former Aberdeen midfielder Darren Young nearly returned to haunt his old club, but his 68th minute free-kick was deflected just wide of Jamie Langfield's goal.

The Dons were boosted by the return of captain Russell Anderson to a three-man backline alongside Zander Diamond and Andrew Considine.

That trio lined up in front of former Dunfermline goalkeeper Langfield, who replaced Ryan Esson, while Jamie Winter moved into midfield.

Dunfermline boss Jim Leishman was forced to make one change from the team which lost 1-0 at home to Kilmarnock last weekend - their eighth defeat in nine SPL matches.

Lee Makel returned following a wrist injury but Scott Wilson missed out with a thigh complaint.

Not for the first time this season Aberdeen struggled to find their feet in the early stages at home and it was Dunfermline, no doubt buoyed by their recent victory at Celtic Park, who had the better of a pedestrian start to the game.

In the eighth minute Pars wing-back Jamie McCunnie's cross found Derek Young lurking at the back post and from his cushioned knock-down Makel blazed a good opportunity to test Langfield over the crossbar.

The Dons finally responded seven minutes later when Winter tried his luck from the edge of the box, capitalising on Greg Shields clearing header which had little purchase on it.

But the ex-Leeds youngster got his half-volley all wrong and the ball bobbled harmlessly wide.

On the half-hour mark, ex-Pars striker Stevie Crawford was handed a fantastic opportunity to net only his fourth goal since arriving at Pittodrie, when a mistake from Andy Tod sent him scampering through.

After Crawford turned Shields inside and out, he seemed certain to roll the ball past the exposed McGregor, but the goalkeeper did well to close down the angle and comfortably saved a woeful attempt.

Despite enjoying more and more possession as the half progressed, the Dons had few attacking ideas as Dunfermline seemed content to allow the home side to enjoy plenty of the ball in midfield.

Finally, two minutes before the interval, Aberdeen managed to knit a passing move together in the attacking third when Kevin McNaughton's cross was caressed by Crawford on the edge of the box and Barry Nicholson's low drive forced McGregor into a diving save.

Calderwood made two substitutions during the half-time break. The ineffective Winter was replaced by Richie Foster, while more pace was added to the attack with the introduction of Darren Mackie at the expense of Diamond.

And both substitutes made an immediate impact as they aimed to be the catalyst for only Aberdeen's second win in their last six outings.

In the 53rd minute, Mackie's foraging on the left presented Chris Clark with a chance to try his luck from the edge of the box.

And, while his low drive was on target, it was blocked by a combination of Shields and Crawford who were stationed on the six-yard line.

Three minutes later, Foster gathered the ball on the right touchline and set off on an ambling run into the centre of the pitch which culminated with a right-footed shot from 20 yards. Unfortunately for the winger, he hooked his effort just wide of McGregor's left-hand post.

The Dons were now bossing the game as Dunfermline retreated all the way back to the edge of their own box.

Anderson advanced out of defence and launched a drive from 30 yards at goal, but sliced his ambitious attempt well wide.

But the Pars nearly took a surprise lead after Considine fouled substitute Mark Burchill on the edge of the box.

The 18-year-old was booked for his misdemeanour and, from the free-kick, Darren Young's powerful shot was deflected just wide by a resolute home wall.

With time fast running out, things were becoming desperate for the home side who could not find a way past Dunfermline.

The Pars defence continued to hold their line well and defended their goal with a steely determination.

With eight minutes to go, Byrne was presented with an opportunity to fire a shot on goal from the edge of the box with his right foot.

But the left-back chose to cut inside and was comfortably tackled by Shields.

Langfield then had to race from his line to clear serious danger as Burchill attempted to latch on to a Gary Mason pass, but the game ended goalless.

Aberdeen Langfield, McNaughton, Anderson, Diamond (Foster 45), Considine, Nicholson, Winter (Mackie 45), Clark, Byrne, Crawford, Smith.

Subs Not Used: Esson, Dempsey, Stewart, Muirhead, Baas.

Booked: Considine.

Dunfermline McGregor, Shields, Tod (Burchill 50), Labonte, Campbell, Ross, Mason, McCunnie, Makel (Darren Young 64), Hunt, Derek Young (Craig Wilson 87).

Subs Not Used: Halliwell, Tarachulski, Horsted, Thomson.

Booked: Hunt.

Att: 9,881

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).