Dunfermline and Hibs fought out a bruising but exciting 1-1 draw in their encounter at East End Park.

Russell Latapy had put Hibs ahead from the spot in 22 minutes after Andrius Skerla had pushed Mixu Paatelainen in the box.

Three minutes after the break however David Moss equalised for the home side after persistence on the right side by Barry Nicholson.

Although both sides went all out for the winner, neither could make the breakthrough and in the end had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Both teams started the game in determined fashion and the early tempo was fast and frenetic.

But the play was characterised by misplaced passes and crunching tackles as both teams battled to gain control of the game.

It was the home side who were first to threaten in the 15th minute.

Steve Crawford battled well to win the ball from Hibs defender Paul Fenwick and raced to the byline.

When his cross came over, Moss' header from six yards was only inches past Nick Colgan's right-hand post.

At the other end Marco Ruitenbeek comfortably saved a Franck Sauzee free-kick from the edge of the box.

Then in the 22nd minute with the game opening up Hibs were awarded a penalty.

Dunfermline defender Skerla looked to have pushed Paatelainen as the big Hibs forward attempted to reach and Stuart Lovell cross.

The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation and Latapy stepped up to confidently score.

The home side pushed forward for the equaliser and only cool play from Sauzee, heading past for a corner, prevented Moss reaching a Nicholson cross.

As the first-half drew to a close Dunfermline had the visitors pinned into their own box but just couldn't create a clear cut opening.

However the Edinburgh men were still looking dangerous on the break and three minutes from half-time Latapy sent Paatelainen racing clear through on goal.

As the big Finn shaped to score, Pars' goalkeeper Ruitenbeek came out to make it a good save.

The home side made a sensational start to the second-half, equalising after three minutes.

Nicholson worked hard on the byline to dispossess Hibs defender Ulrik Laursen and when the ex-Rangers player's cross came over Moss stuck to head past Colgan from eight yards.

The goal stung the visitors into action and two minutes later John O'Neil should have scored with a header from six yards but his effort went well wide of the target.

There was plenty of excitement for the fans as play swung from end-to-end with both teams looking for the winner.

Moss was causing havoc in the Hibs defence with his aerial power and Latapy was proving to be Hibs most dangerous man.

On the hour, Dunfermline substitute Jason Dair tried his luck with a 20-yard shot but his effort was easily saved by Colgan.

As the second-half wore on both sets of players were giving their all but all too often effort was replacing skill and there were plenty of fouls for the referee to try and contain.

After 77 minutes Latapy set up substitute David Zitelli but the Hibs substitute's header from six yards was straight at Ruitenbeek.

Then Lehmann kicked a ball over the bar from eight yards after connecting with a Zitelli cross.

In the end there was no more scoring and a draw was probably the fairest result.