PARS 1 Raith Rovers 1

DOM THOMAS' second league goal of the season wasn't enough to earn Dunfermline a first league victory as a late leveller handed Raith Rovers a derby point this evening.

Thomas' spectacular opener five minutes into the second half had looked like finally ending Peter Grant's wait for a Championship success at the 11th time of asking.

But Brad Spencer's low drive with three minutes to go, which sparked a mini pitch invasion from the ecstatic Kirkcaldy following, handed Rovers a draw.

Although it means the Stark's Park club still haven't won at East End in the league since 2009, it will feel like a victory for them after it looked like Athletic would see the game out.

A point, you could argue, was likely the fairest outcome over the 90 minutes, but Dunfermline will be frustrated that they didn't come away with three points.

After Morton drew with Partick Thistle, it means they remain a point behind the ninth-placed Greenock side, while Hamilton Academical, in eighth, moved five clear of Queen of the South, who dropped to eighth, a point behind Accies, following their loss to the Lanarkshire side.

Pars boss Grant named the same side for the third successive match, following Saturday's stalemate at Partick Thistle, whilst Rovers counterpart John McGlynn named three former Athletic players in his team.

Centre back Tom Lang, and attacking midfielders Aidan Connolly and Ethan Ross, both started for the Kirkcaldy club, who were shorn of defender, Kyle Benedictus, and suspended midfielder, Ross Matthews.

You had to go back to 2009 for Rovers' last league win at East End but, with Dunfermline still looking for a first Championship three points of the season, their bouyant support travelled along the A92 in confident mood.

Pre-match, there was a minute's silence held in memory of the late Rangers, Everton and Scotland manager, Walter Smith, who passed away at the age of 73, which was held impeccably by all inside the ground.

Dunfermline coaches, Greg Shields and Steven Whittaker, both worked with him at Rangers and, on what was a poignant day, they watched their team make a relatively bright start.

Having been turned around to attack the Norrie McCathie Stand in the first half, the Pars had a couple of attempted forays towards the Raith box in the very early exchanges, but couldn't quite find their attempted targets.

They did, however, soon win two corners in quick succession and, from the second, Dom Thomas' delivery was touched over by Mark Connolly, who was booked moments later for a pull on Matej Poplatnik.

You couldn't fault the attitude of the two teams in the early stages - and Dunfermline started pretty well - but efforts were at a premium.

The hosts should have made more of a delicious delivery from Thomas, from another short corner, instead of allowing the ball to go through the box without a touch, while Poplatnik was well off-target with an ambitious effort from range.

Ross then had a shot deflected wide for Rovers, before Thomas had an opportunity at the other end, which he unfortunately got all wrong as it never troubled Jamie MacDonald in the visitors' goal.

Better opportunites then came Dunfermline's way when Dow, under pressure from two Rovers' men, did brilliantly to spin and cross from the left, despite appearing to be bundled over.

However, neither Thomas, or Craig Wighton on the follow-up, could get enough purchase on their efforts to cause MacDonald concern.

Poplatnik sent an effort wildly high and wide, and Connolly forced a decent save from Owain Fon Williams from a free-kick, whilst Ryan Dow headed over from a corner for Athletic.

It was an opening half that had no shortage of effort, but perhaps lacked quality in the final third to carve out an opening goal.

However, five minutes after the break, Thomas provided the spark the game - and the Pars - needed.

It started from Fon Williams clutching an attempted Dario Zanatta chip to the far post out of the air, and starting a break upfield.

When the ball found its way to the winger, he moved infield, around 25 yards out, and sent an unstoppable shot flying beyond the helpless MacDonald and into the top corner.

It was a wonderful strike by Thomas, for his third goal of the campaign, and had the long-suffering Pars fans firmly on their feet.

However, they were almost silenced moments later when Connolly struck a superb free-kick that looked like it had crept in at Fon Williams' left-side.

The Raith fans were up celebrating, but only momentarily, as the ball had, fortunately, finished on the right side of the post as far as Dunfermline were concerned.

Paul Allan, who had another good game in midfield, sent an effort wide from the edge of the box as the Pars looked for a second goal.

The game began to get a bit tetchy, with Dom Thomas, Ross and Poplatnik each booked within the space of two minutes, before Zanatta dragged a shot wide as the final 10 minutes approached.

Kai Kennedy and Nikolay Todorov were sent on for Wighton and Kevin O'Hara and, within moments, Thomas had almost scored his second.

He sent a fine drive flying towards the far corner, only for MacDonald to touch around the post with a brilliant stop, only for the referee and his assistant to inexplicably award a goal kick.

That would haunt the Pars as, just as they averted danger from a dangerous Liam Dick cross hammered across goal, they conceded.

It was Spencer - who scored in Rovers' 4-1 loss here in February - with it, sending a low daisycutter beyond Fon Williams into the far corner.

The goal prompted some visiting fans to unwisely hurdle over onto the track pitch, who celebrated their point like a victory as the crestfallen Pars supporters still await a league victory.

Pars: Fon Williams; Comrie, Connolly, Gaspuitis, Edwards; Dow, Allan, Pybus (Wilson 59), Thomas; Wighton (Todorov 79), O'Hara (Kennedy 79).

Subs not used: MacDonald, Breen, McCann, Mehmet.

Goal: Thomas (50).

Booked: Connolly (9), Comrie (61), Thomas (68) Raith Rovers: J. MacDonald; Tumilty, Lang, Berra, Dick; Spencer, Tait; Connolly (Riley-Snow 83), Zanatta, Ross (Mitchell 75); Poplatnik.

Subs not used: Thomson, Musonda, Arnott, Young.

Goal: Spencer (87).

Booked: Ross (68), Poplatnik (70), Spencer (89), Tait (90).

Referee: Alan Muir.

Attendance: 4,450.