Kilmarnock missed the opportunity to return to the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League's top six as Dunfermline claimed a valuable 1-1 draw to boost their battle against relegation at East End Park.
In a game postponed due to fog on December 10, 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 January 21 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.
Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre praised late replacement Chris Smith after the goalkeeper helped secure a point.
Smith has made a couple of errors in matches this season and was pitched into battle after on-loan Preston keeper Iain Turner suffered a back spasm in the warm-up.
The Pars boss said: "I thought Chris handled it really well. You can see the park, it was difficult tonight - any pass back it was like a bouncing bomb at times.
"There were a couple that were hard to deal with, but in the main I thought he was excellent and he made a fantastic save to keep us in the match also."
Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels was far from satisfied after a sixth draw of the season away from Rugby Park.
He said: "We've drawn six away from home. We've been so dominant in all of those games and we've ended up getting draws.
"We're creative. Every away game we're getting chances, but we're not finishing them.
"It's frustrating for a manager who sets his team out to attack away from home - and yet we've only scored eight league goals away from home."
Post Comment
