Steve Crawford's first-half strike was enough to earn Dunfermline a hard-fought victory over Kilmarnock, who spurned the chance to grab a point when substitute Paul Wright missed an injury-time penalty.

It was Dunfermline who had the best of the early stages, with Ian Ferguson running the show in the midfield.

Most of the home side's moves were coming through the ex Rangers player and Kilmarnock were struggling to contain an enterprising Dunfermline side.

However, it was the visitors who had the first real chance after Andy McLaren latched onto a Stuart Davidson pass.

But keeper Marco Ruitenbeek, who had made the original mistake with a poor kick out, made a good save coming out to smother McLaren's shot just inside the box.

But Dunfermline continued to dominate possession and there was no surprise when they took the lead on 23 minutes.

Crawford got on the end of a Barry Nicholson cross and toe-poked the ball past Gordon Marshall from six yards and into the net off the bar to chalk up his first goal in 12 matches.

A minute later, Steven Hampshire nearly doubled Dunfermline's advantage, but his angled header was cleared off the line by Kilmarnock defender Kevin McGowne with Marshall well beaten.

On the half hour mark, Crawford had the chance to get his second - but his shot from the edge of the box was poor and Marshall saved easily.

Kilmarnock came out after the break determined to improve on their poor first half performance and Alan Mahood and Chistoph Cocard both came close within minutes.

Dunfermline should have grabbed a second on 53 minutes when Chris McGroarty released Scott Thomson down the left. The midfielder swept into the box, but his shot from 16 yards was well wide.

Thomson had a great chance to score with 16 minutes left, but he blasted the ball straight at Marshall when his team-mates were better placed.

The home side looked to have weathered the storm, but Kilmarnock were handed a life-line in injury time.

Wright clashed with Ruitinbeek and referee Bobby Orr had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, much to the anger of the home fans.

The former Scottish Under-21 cap took the penalty himself, but knocked it wide of the post to let the home-side off the hook.

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, Skinner, Skerla, Rossi, Hampshire (Doesburg 64), Nicholson, Ferguson, Scott Thomson, McGroarty, Crawford, Moss (Vijkhuizen 64).

Subs Not Used: Scott Y Thomson, Dair, Bullen.

Booked: Doesburg.

Goals: Crawford 22.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Canero, Dindeleux, Innes, McGowne, Baker (Hay 76), Davidson, Mahood, Reilly (Wright 82), Cocard (Dargo 76), McLaren.

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Fowler.

Att: 6,054

Ref: Bobby Orr (Scotland).