Michael Moffat's first goal in 13 games fired the Pars into a first half lead but pantomine villain Andy Rodgers hit back with 12 minutes left to leave John Potter's side staring a third season in League One full in the face.

They are now seven points behind Brechin City with just four matches to go and with just two wins from their last nine games, overhauling the Angus side looks increasingly unlikely.

There were three changes to the side that lost 4-0 to Morton in their last match, with Allan Smith, Lewis Martin and Michael Moffat recalled to the starting line-up and while the visitors dominated the early play, their first real effort on goal didn't arrive until the 15th minute when Josh Falkingham fired over.

But three minutes later, Dunfermline took the lead when Ross Millen's cross to the back post found Moffat lurking to head home via the post for his sixth goal of the season.

Chances continued to be at a premium and although Ryan Scully had to be alert to hold a cross-cum shot from the right, Peterhead were rarely seen as an attacking force in the opening 45 minutes.

Kyle McAusland had a decent chance saved by Graeme Smith after being set up by David Hopkirk but any authority the Pars had on proceedings diminished after the break.

David Cox had a deflected drive saved well by Scully as the Blue Toon started with greater attacking intent and just after the hour mark, Steven Noble was denied by a fine stop from the Athletic number one.

The pressure continued and Peterhead finally got their reward when Noble got in behind the visitors' defence to cut the ball across goal for substitute Rodgers to gleefully fire home from eight yards.

Andy Barrowman and Faissal El Bakhtaoui replaced the front two of Smith and Potter as Pars desperately tried to find a route towards goal, but it was Scully who was on hand to preserve a point when he raced from his goal to clear ahead of Rory McAllister 30 yards out.

Dunfermline couldn't fashion another chance and their play-off hopes now look doomed to failure.

Pars: Scully, Millen, Whittle, Martin, Buchanan, McAusland, Falkingham, Geggan, Smith, Moffat, Hopkirk.

Subs: Urquhart, Spence, Byrne, El Bakhtaoui, Barrowman, Thomson, Wilson.

Goal: Moffat (18).

Referee: Nick Walsh.

Attendance: 668.