Dunfermline knocked off League One summit in Central Park stalemate

It is only the second time the Pars have failed to hit the net this season in what was a disappointing day at Central Park, with the hosts worthy of a point after a gallant performance that saw them provide a Halloween fright for their opponents.

Allan Johnston named an unchanged side from last Saturday's thumping 4-0 victory over Forfar Athletic, while Cowden boss Colin Nish kept faith with the team who won 3-0 at Stranraer last time out.

The Pars, with 5-1 and 7-1 hammerings of their opponents already under their belt this season, began on the front foot and David Hopkirk had two early opportunities, forcing Jamie Sneddon into a decent far post save before heading Joe Cardle's cross off target.

The Blue Brazil's Dunfermline born striker Greig Spence had the home side's first sight of goal after 12 minutes with a half volley that was held comfortably by Sean Murdoch, before Cardle sent a curler harmlessly over at the other end.

Faissal El Bakhtoui was next to try his luck, seizing on Moffat's pull back from the left goal line to fire a shot that was well blocked by the home rearguard before his second attempt was well held by Sneddon.

The French-Moroccan however spurned a golden opportunity to put the visitors ahead midway through the half.

A sweeping ball from Andy Geggan released Michael Moffat on the right, whose dinked ball into the box was flicked on by Shaun Byrne for El Bakhtaoui at the far post only for the ball to finish wide of goal.

Cowdenbeath were battling gamely but it was Athletic who came close again in the 29th minute when Marc McAusland's header towards goal from Cardle's corner was cleared off the line.

Jason Talbot tried his luck from range but blasted the ball into the Chapel Street terracing behind Sneddon's goal before Cardle found the target but also Sneddon's gloves.

A foul by Cardle on the edge of the Pars box gave Dean Brett an opportunity in the final moments of an intriguing opening half but he curled the ball over Murdoch's bar.

And it was the Blue Brazil who were first to threaten after the break when Kenny Adamson hammered a shot towards goal and it ended not too far wide of Sneddon's left-hand post.

Dunfermline were not having things their own way at the start of the second half, which prompted Johnston to shuffle his pack by sending on Ryan Wallace for Moffat.

The hosts felt they should've had a 63rd minute penalty when Gordon Smith went down after superbly turning away from Talbot and Byrne, but referee Nick Walsh wasn't interested.

Mickael Antoine-Curier and Michael Paton were then sent on for Hopkirk and El Bakhtaoui as the Pars attempted to turn a tide that had been heading towards their goal for the opening 20 minutes of the second half.

Dunfermline had their first meaningful effort of the second half soon after when Cardle's low shot was deflected narrowly wide and frustration was growing amongst the large visiting support.

An even bigger opportunity fell Cowden's way minutes later when Spence got the better of Lewis Martin on the left before squaring for Brett six yards out but he sent the ball over the top.

The game was becoming more stretched and Richards-Everton had a decent chance from a Wallace corner but his header failed the target before Cardle brilliantly set up Wallace, who fired wide.

Murdoch was then called into action to push away a fierce drive from his Cowden namesake Andy as both teams sensed victory.

Cardle had a late penalty appeal waved away by the referee and a shot straight at Sneddon in the final seconds as the Pars left disappointed.

Cowdenbeath: Sneddon, Donaldson, Scullion, El Zubaidi, Adamson, Brett, Miller, Murdoch, Callaghan, Smith, Spence.

Hunter, Yaqub, Kane, Hughes, Orritt, Johnston, Buchanan.

Pars: Murdoch, Martin, Talbot, McAusland, Richards-Everton, Geggan, Byrne, Moffat, El Bakhtaoui, Cardle.

Subs: Hutton, Rooney, Spence, Paton, Wallace, McCabe, Antoine-Curier.

Referee: Nick Walsh.

Attendance: 2097.