Relegation favourites Dunfermline ended their Bank of Scotland Premier League goal drought but passed up a great chance for three points after failing to break down 10-man Kilmarnock in the second half.

Steven Naismith handed Jim Jefferies' men a 10th-minute lead at East End Park, but the match turned after Kilmarnock defender Simon Ford was handed a straight red card for hauling down Adam Hammill just before half-time.

Stevie Crawford stayed calm to net the 44th-minute spot-kick - Dunfermline's first league goal in a staggering 854 minutes - but despite desperate attempts the hosts could not find a second-half winner.

With nearest rivals St Mirren drawing at Hearts, the gap at the bottom remains at eight points as the Fifers' winless streak stretched to 13 games.

For CIS Insurance Cup finalists Killie, it was a battling point to aid their top-six cause.

Desperate for points, Dunfermline showed a hunger to quickly pressure the visitors.

On three minutes, Crawford fed on-loan Liverpool teenager Hammill and he cut in from the left to fire a 22-yard drive over the bar.

However, in-form Naismith served notice of intent when he broke clear in the ninth minute and was only denied by Dorus De Vries' outstretched leg.

Seconds later the lively forward made no mistake to claim his 15th goal of a prolific season.

Rocco Quinn's hopeful ball saw the Pars claiming offside, but the flag stayed down as Naismith wriggled between a hesitant Scott Wilson and Phil McGuire to drill a 15-yard left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.

The stunned hosts replied with weak efforts from Crawford and Hammill, before a fine flowing move also saw Jim Hamilton - in for the injured Mark Burchill - prod wide.

The home side were showing no lack of effort and possession - forcing five corners by the half-hour mark - and Hammill again came close when his rising 25-yarder was palmed away by Alan Combe on 32 minutes.

From the subsequent corner delivered by Stephen Glass, Wilson saw a close-range effort deflected wide.

Kenny's men continued to press and Combe produced more heroics to smother a close-range Stephen Simmons chance after Jim O'Brien had played him in.

But it was not all one-way traffic and De Vries had to look lively to push away a Quinn drive.

However, drama arrived two minutes from half-time. Crawford and Hammill pressured Ford on the right and Hammill robbed him to rush clear on goal.

With Ford struggling to get back, he hauled the winger down in the box and referee David Somers not only pointed to the penalty spot but showed Ford a straight red card.

Crawford stepped up to send Combe the wrong way and score the club's first league goal since December 10, to tangible relief.

Buoyed by a man advantage and their equaliser, Dunfermline were quickly on the offensive after the break and Simmons saw a looped header held by Combe on 53 minutes.

Four minutes later the goalkeeper raced from his line to again deny the former Hearts midfielder, before Gary Mason was unlucky to see an angled shot deflected over.

Kilmarnock were holding on bravely, but Wilson should have scored just after the hour when Crawford cut the ball back and the unmarked defender screwed a 12-yard shot badly wide.

The pressure continued with Hamilton the next to head wide from another fine Hammill cross.

The Rugby Park side had rarely threatened but former Dunfermline striker Colin Nish - restored after a ban - almost came back to haunt them on 70 minutes when De Vries held his close-range chance after a Wilson mistake.

O'Brien then dragged a shot wide but try as they might the Pars could not find a way through for a much-needed winner.

Teams:

Dunfermline De Vries, Ross (McIntyre 81), Wilson, McGuire,Glass, O'Brien, Mason, Simmons (Ryan 76), Hammill,Crawford (Williamson 69), Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Bamba, Scott Morrison, Stewart.

Booked: Mason.

Goals: Crawford 45 pen.

Kilmarnock Combe, Fowler, Greer, Frazer Wright, Ford,Naismith, Murray, Leven, Quinn (Locke 46), Wales, Nish.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Johnston, Di Giacomo, O'Leary, Koudou.

Sent Off: Ford (44).

Booked: Nish, Fowler, Locke, Murray.

Goals: Naismith 10.

Att: 4,500

Ref: D Sommers (Scotland).