Dunfermline's workman-like display earned them a point at Kilmarnock but the Pars could not turn their dominance into goals.

Kilmarnock were only a shadow of the side who won at Dundee at the weekend and, although the woodwork denied teenage substitute Kris Boyd the winner, goalscoring opportunities were few and far between.

The Pars won the first corner of the game and from it Barry Nicholson dragged his shot well wide.

It was the seventh minute before Marco Ruitenbeek was really threatened when a move started in midfield by Ally Mitchell, continued by Stephen Murray on the wing, ended with the keeper saving well from Mitchell.

Another corner for the Pars a few minutes later saw Nicholson's flag-kick being headed over by Scott Thomson

When Di Giacomo found space on the right flank his cross fell behind his waiting colleagues inside the box and the opportunity was lost.

Former Kilmarnock favourite Gus MacPherson broke along the right and despatch a timely pass to Lee Bullen, which looked as if it might cause problems for the home side, until Freddie Dindeleux intervened to break up the move.

Dunfermline continued to push forward and, when Jason Dair threw over a dangerous cross, striker Stevie Crawford only narrowly missed the target with a header.

The Fifers domination continued and in the 36th minute only Marshall's agility kept the score-line blank.

The ball was only partially cleared by Jamie Fowler into the path of Gary Mason whose 25-yard rising shot was tipped over the top by the keeper. From the resultant corner Andrius Skerla knocked the ball narrowly wide.

Marshall certainly wasn't being allowed to feel the cold as a spectator when he was called upon to save rasping shot from Dair a few minutes later.

At the other end though, Ruitenbeek had only a couple of pick-ups to make before the interval.

But there was another scare for Kilmarnock two minutes after the break.

McGroarty flung over a free-kick from the right which Dindeleux failed to make proper contact with and consequently wrong-footed Marshall, who was only too pleased to watch the ball drift pass his right-hand upright.

Kilmarnock came close to scoring in the 62nd minute when substitute Boyd broke free from his marker and slipped the ball pass Ruitenbeek but the effort rebounded off the post and was cleared.

Goalmouth incidents were more frequent for a short period and, following Dair corner and a Bullen header, Nicholson flicked the ball over the cross-bar from close range.

Two minutes later it was Kilmarnock who threatened but Peter Canero's 25-yard strike slipped wide of the post.

Crawford was guilty of squandering the Pars' best chance of the game when he hesitated in front of goal after collecting a Bullen flick.

The forward's dithering cost the Pars dearly as Marshall was allowed to block the shot.

Another Chris McGroarty free-kick flashed through a crowded penalty area with neither side able to get a touch on the ball.

In the 82 minute, Marshall, under pressure, spilled the ball but a home defender booted clear much to the home side relief and anguish of the visitors.

Teams:

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Canero, McGowne, Dindeleux, Hay, Mitchell, Fowler, Mahood, Murray (Calderon 76), Dargo (Boyd 52), Di Giacomo.

Subs Not Used: Sanjuan, Innes, Samson.

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, MacPherson (Doesburg 77), Skerla, Dair (Kilgannon 83), McGroarty, Skinner, Scott Thomson, Mason, Nicholson, Bullen, Crawford.

Subs Not Used: Scott Y Thomson, Petrie, Nicholls.

Att: 6,873

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).