Dunfermline 1-1 Kilmarnock: Andy Kirk rescues point but Dunfermline still in bottom spot

KILMARNOCK missed the opportunity to return to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League’s top six as Dunfermline claimed a valuable point in their battle against relegation last night.

James Fowler’s deflected shot after 21 minutes put Killie ahead as the visitors sought to avenge the 3-0 loss to the Pars on 21 January and return to the top half of the table. Andy Kirk equalised after 44 minutes and, although Dunfermline’s search for a first home victory of the season goes on, the Pars moved level on points with Hibernian at the foot of the standings, while Killie moved seventh.

Former Rangers duo Jordan McMillan and Kyle Hutton made their debuts as Dunfermline made four changes from the side which lost 1-0 away at Aberdeen in their last SPL match, with McMillan and Hutton joined in the side by midfielder Paul Burns and Northern Ireland striker Andy Kirk.

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A fifth Pars change was enforced as on-loan Preston goalkeeper Iain Turner suffered a back problem in the warm-up, with Chris Smith coming into the side at the last minute.

Defender Michael Nelson was fit to start after shaking off an ankle injury as Killie made one change from the side which began the 1-0 Scottish Cup loss at Hibernian on Saturday, with Lewis Toshney starting.

After 14 minutes where neither side could string together a meaningful passage of play, Kirk tried his luck from the right channel, 25 yards out, firing off target. Another opportunity for the hosts came swiftly, but no-one was in the box to take advantage of Liam Buchanan’s good work on the right and fine low cross.

After 21 minutes, Killie took the lead. Dunfermline failed to clear Toshney’s cross from the right and the ball fell for Fowler to net a deflected shot in the centre of the goal.

Dean Shiels had an effort saved before a poor Smith clearance presented Liam Kelly with a shooting chance, but the ball went wide.

Killie were beginning to show the greater quality on the ball, only for Hutton and Mark Kerr to offer some protection for the Pars defence.

Shiels almost set up a chance for Paul Heffernan, but Alex Keddie managed to get in front of the Killie striker and Smith collected.

Smith was then equal to a left-footed Shiels shot on the turn and that contribution proved decisive as Dunfermline equalised after 44 minutes. David Graham burst through the centre of the field and prodded the ball forward to Kirk, who beat the offside trap. With Cammy Bell advancing from his line, Kirk shot early into the bottom corner.

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After the break, the Kilmarnock defence delayed over a clearance and a Kerr challenge saw the ball break for Buchanan, who stole in behind Toshney, but his effort across goal went outside the far post.

Shiels failed to direct a header from Ben Gordon’s cross on target as Killie threatened before Dunfermline were almost undone by their own defending. A Kirk pass-back fell for Heffernan, who prodded goalwards, but Smith managed to spread himself and save well.

He then saved low to his right from Garry Hay and Liam Kelly shot over from the edge of the area as the visitors continued to look the more likely to take the lead. Toshney was bundled over on the edge of the area but nothing was given, and Van Tornhout’s heavy touch saw Kirk go clear at the other end, only to flash a shot wide.