THE PARS missed the chance to move top of League One on Saturday as Jamie Stevenson's late header denied them victory at Peterhead.

Faissal El Bakhtaoui's first half opener had put Jim Jefferies' men on course for all three points but Stevenson's late show ensured Athletic's first league visit to Balmoor ended all-square.

Dunfermline were unchanged from the Scottish Cup victory at East Stirlingshire and they started brightly, with Stuart Urquhart sending an early header over the bar.

Skipper Andy Geggan then saw an effort from distance held by home goalkeeper Graeme Smith as the Pars continued to threaten, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the 19th minute.

Good play between Shaun Byrne and Lewis Spence saw the ball fed to Ross Millen on the right and his deep cross found the waiting El Bakhtaoui to head home his sixth goal in six games from close range.

Dunfermline continued to press, with El Bakhtaoui looping a header over the bar and Geggan sending an effort over before Michael Moffat sent a driven shot into the arms of Smith after he was played in by the skipper.

Ryan Scully was finally called into action just before half-time to deny Ryan Strachan but after the interval, Dunfermline continued on the front foot.

Ross Forbes and Moffat were both denied by blocks from Smith before Buchanan sent a header off target.

The home side however gradually made their way back into the game and Scully did well to smother at the feet of Mark Millar before substitute Bryan Gilfillan fired over from a corner.

Forbes then saw a shot blocked as the Pars tried to find a clinching second goal but with three minutes left, a free-kick from the right was headed back across goal by Gilfillan and Stevenson was on hand to nod the ball home.

Both teams then pushed for a winner; Gilfillan headed wide for Peterhead before Urquhart saw a side-foot effort from 12 yards blocked on the line as both teams settled for a draw.

Peterhead: Smith, Kerr (Rodgers 74), Noble, Brown (Gilfillan 57), Ross, Strachan, Millar, Redman, McAllister, Stevenson, Cox.

Subs not used: Richardson, Jarvie.

Goal: Stevenson (87).

Booked: Kerr (50).

Pars: Scully, Millen, Whittle, Urquhart, Buchanan, Geggan (Ugwu 75), El Bakhtaoui (Martin 85), Spence, Moffat, Forbes (Williamson 85), Byrne.

Subs not used: Stirling, Thomson, Smith, Goodfellow.

Goal: El Bakhtaoui (19).

Booked: Urquhart (65).

Referee: Calum Murray.

Attendance: 740.