St Mirren squandered the opportunity to take a massive step towards Bank of Scotland Premier League safety by being held to a goalless draw by bottom side Dunfermline.

A win would have sent Saints nine points clear of the Pars and increased their chances of retaining their SPL status.

A superb start to the season meant St Mirren were tipped to comfortably survive their first campaign back in the top flight.

But failure to register a win from 10 games now means they are in danger of being sucked into a relegation battle.

Saints boss Gus MacPherson knew a victory against struggling Dunfermline could make all the difference to their survival hopes.

But he was forced to head into the game without star striker John Sutton, who was struck down with 'flu, while Andy Millen and Garry Brady also missed out after last week's draw with Kilmarnock.

They were replaced by Richard Brittain, Mark Corcoran and Alan Reid.

Dunfermline's new boss Stephen Kenny was still searching for his first victory since taking over the East End Park hotseat and he also made three changes from the side who lost to Celtic.

Out went Aaron Labonte, Scott Morrison and Frederic Daquin in favour of fit-again Mark Burchill, Darren Young and Phil McGuire.

The first real chance fell to Dunfermline when Stephen Simmons tested Tony Bullock with a shot and the St Mirren goalkeeper spilled the ball.

Scott Muirhead pounced on the rebound but stabbed wide of target from a few yards out.

Saints had the chance to put Dunfermline under pressure with a free-kick just outside the box but Kirk Broadfoot fired well over.

The woodwork prevented St Mirren from taking the lead when Corcoran squared into the path of Alex Burke and his shot crashed off the post.

Dunfermline goalkeeper Dorus De Vries then dropped a Simon Lappin free-kick but, fortunately for the Pars, the referee ruled he had been fouled by Broadfoot before Saints could take advantage.

Despite the home side's possession, Dunfermline could have snatched the opener just before the break when Greg Shields nodded a Muirhead corner just wide.

Burchill was replaced by Jim Hamilton on the stroke of half-time, suggesting he had suffered another knock after making his comeback from a lengthy injury.

St Mirren made a substitution at the interval, replacing Burke with Billy Mehmet.

But it was Dunfermline who could have grabbed the opener shortly after the restart.

Stevie Crawford beat Bullock to a Hamilton flick-on but squandered a decent opportunity when he fired over.

At the other end, Mehmet was unfortunate to see his diving header blocked by an impressive save from De Vries.

Dunfermline came close when Shields' header from a Muirhead corner was smothered on the line by Bullock.

Saints then claimed for a penalty for a McGuire tug on Kevin McGowne but there appeared to be little in the incident and the referee ignored the pleas.

In the end, both teams were forced to settle for a share of the points following a disappointing show at Love Street.

Teams:

St Mirren Bullock, McGowne, Potter, Broadfoot, van Zanten,Murray, Brittain, Lappin, Reid, Corcoran, Burke (Mehmet 46).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Millen, Maxwell, McKenna, Gemmill, McGinn.

Dunfermline De Vries, McGuire, Shields, Wilson, Ross, Young,Mason, Simmons, Muirhead, Burchill (Hamilton 45), Crawford.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Owen Morrison, Daquin, Woods,

Williamson, Labonte.

Booked: Crawford, McGuire, Mason.

Att: 4,246

Ref: S Finnie (Scotland).