A dramatic late penalty by Ged Brannan gave Motherwell a 2-1 victory over Dunfermline at East End Park.

David Moss had put the home side ahead in the 11th minute with a powerful header from a Scott Thomson cross.

With only 10 minutes remaining Motherwell substitute Derek Townsley equalised after a mix-up in the Dunfermline penalty area.

Just as the game looked to be heading for a draw Motherwell winger Stuart Elliott was fouled in the box by Andrius Skerla and Brannan converted the winner.

The visitors were first to threaten in the second minute when Elliott broke free down the left but the winger's cross was easily cleared by the Dunfermline defence.

But it was the home side who got the breakthrough in the 11th minute with a well worked goal.

Thomson found some space down the left-hand side and when his cross came over to the back post Moss rose to plant an unstoppable header past Stephen Woods.

For the rest of the first half it was the visitors who had the better of the chances and were unlucky not to equalise on several occasions.

Keeper Marco Ruitenbeek pulled off a great save from Greg Strong and then minutes later foiled Stephen McMillan after the Motherwell defender had worked some space at the edge of the box.

Motherwell striker Don Goodman was unlucky in the 28th minute when his flick from an Elliott cross went narrowly past the Dunfermline post.

Dunfermline, however had a good chance to double their lead when Jason Dair picked out Moss at the Motherwell back post.

However, the big Englishman shot wildly at goal and the ball went harmlessly past the post.

Five minutes from the break Elliott again broke free of the Dunfermline defence but his shot from the edge of the box went past Ruitenbeek's left-hand post.

Both teams took time to settle after the interval with neither keeper being involved in much action.

In 53 minutes Goodman had another opportunity for the visitors but was foiled by a timely tackle from Skinner and his shot went wide.

Just as it looked as if Dunfermline were going to get their win the visitors got an unlikely equaliser.

From a throw-in on the right Dunfermline keeper Ruitenbeek failed to collect and found himself stranded and watched as second-half substitute Townsley slotted home from 16 yards.

But Motherwell weren't finished yet and grabbed a dramatic winner with a last-minute penalty after Elliott was fouled inside the box by Skerla.

Brannan stepped up to slam the ball in for a dramatic Motherwell victory.