A MUCH-CHANGED Dunfermline side continued preparations for the play-offs with a well earned draw at Ayr United on Saturday.

Ryan Thomson gave the Pars an early second half lead but Alan Forrest's leveller denied Jim Jefferies' team just a second win in eight matches.

With the semi-final first leg looming next month, Jefferies made six changes, with Ryan Goodfellow, Kerr Young, Ross Millen, Ross Forbes, Shaun Byrne and Lewis Spence all in the starting line-up.

In the bright sunshine at Somerset Park, Dunfermline started well with Alex Whittle providing an early tester for home keeper David Hutton after 13 minutes before Forbes sent a long-range effort straight at Hutton.

The Honest Men, chasing a play-off place themselves, struggled to create many clear chances although Brian Gilmour sent a drive not too far wide of the left-hand post.

Byrne was next to have a go for the Pars as Hutton did well to hold his effort before Thomson could only shoot wide after evading the offside trap.

Dunfermline started the second half on the front foot and Byrne wasted a chance from the edge of the area before they took the lead on 50 minutes.

Forbes' corner was met by the head of Faissal El Bakhtaoui and although Hutton produced a fine save, Thomson was on hand the nod home the rebound.

The goal gave the Pars a lift and they had chances to increase their lead; Forbes saw a low shot cleared off the line by Alan Lithgow before Kerr Young's volley stung the fingertips of Hutton.

But Athletic's lead lasted only five minutes as the home side hit back. An attempted clearance by Danny Grainger connected with Byrne and after Michael Moffat headed off the bar, Forrest was there prod the ball home from close range.

That goal gave Ayr fresh impetus and Goodfellow had to be alert to deny Forrest at the edge of the area and the Pars found themselves increasingly pinned back in their own half.

Substitute Andy Geggan came agonisingly close to restoring the Pars' advantage as he was inches from connecting with a vicious Forbes free-kick before Goodfellow produced another save to deny Moffat.

Hutton held an El Bakhtaoui shot in the closing minutes as both teams settled for a point.

Pars: Goodfellow, Millen, Grainger, Young, Martin, Spence (Geggan 78), Whittle (Smith 61), Byrne, Forbes, El Bakhtaoui, Thomson.

Subs not used: Scully, Page, O'Kane, Williamson, Graham.