DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 1 Olafobi (pen 46)
QOS 1 Oliver (3)
Dunfermline kept their tenuous play-off ambitions alive with a hard fought draw at home to Queen of the South but the Doonhamers, who have now gone nine games without a victory, continue to hover uncomfortably on the precipice of the Championship relegation zone.
Pars boss Stevie Crawford was unable to hide his disappointment at what he clearly felt was an unsatisfactory result.
“With us having gone a goal down early on I have to give credit to the players for their response,” he said, “but we were at home and I see that as two points dropped.”
With Queens having failed to record a solitary goal in any of their last four games, there was a sense of disbelief around East End Park, not least amongst the small band of supporters who had travelled from Dumfries, when they took the lead with only three minutes on the clock.
Kevin Oliver capitalised on some uncertainty in the Dunfermline defence as he ran on to a pass from Lewis Kidd before sending a low shot beyond Pars goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams.
With top scorer Kevin Nisbet absent through injury, there was little attacking endeavour apparent from the home side during the first half and only a goal-line clearance from Kyle Turner prevented the visitors from increasing their advantage.
Dunfermline, however, hauled themselves back into contention only 20 seconds after the restart.
On-loan Celtic frontman Jonathan Afolabi fired home from the penalty spot after Ledger was adjudged to have fouled Ethan Ross.
Queens keeper Ross Stewart denied Ross with a fingertip save then held on to a powerful shot from the lively Dominic Thomas as the Pars launched a late, but ultimately unsuccessful, push for victory.
Palmerston boss Allan Johnston expressed his frustration at referee Greg Aitken’s decision to award Dunfermline a penalty.
“I’ve looked at the recording and slowed it down” said Johnston, “and I don’t know how the referee could see it as a clear penalty when there was someone in front of him.
“He must have X-ray vision .”