Jamie McGowan kept alive St Mirren's slim hopes of avoiding relegation with a late equaliser at Love Street.

He powered home a header with eight minutes to go to salvage a point for the bottom-of-the table side. With Dundee United winning at Ibrox, Saints remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League.

But at least McGowan's goal gives them a fighting chance of making up ground on their rivals.

Dunfermline dominated for long spells and Stevie Crawford got them off to a flying start with a superb goal after eight minutes.

There seemed little danger when he latched onto a ball from Justin Skinner.

But Crawford's turn and shot from the edge of the area were straight out of the top drawer.

The goal stunned Saints, who went into the match rooted to the foot of the table.

They carved out the first opening of the game when Sergei Baltacha floated in a cross from the left.

But Andrius Skerla was able to prevent Mark Yardley getting good contact. Skerla's return after injury was a boost for Dunfermline, aiming to cement a place in the top six.

Crawford's goal raised their spirits and Jason Dair sent a shot over the top after Baltacha had lost possession.

St Mirren went into the match on the back of a victory against St Johnstone but Crawford's goal once again exposed their fragile confidence.

Dunfermline were looking assured and not content just to sit on their lead.

The Saints showed no lack of commitment in the early stages but Graham Fenton was over-zealous in the 25th minute.

He picked up the first yellow card of the game for a crude challenge onMichel Doesburg, which left him needing treatment.

The home supporters, who last year celebrated promotion, were becoming increasingly frustrated.

Dunfermline again pressed forward in the 35th minute and left Saints stunned with their speed of movement.

Scott Thomson played a delightful one-two with Tomas Danilevicius, on loan from Arsenal, but keeper Ludovic Roy made a good block.

Lithuanian defender Skerla, such an influential figure for Dunfermline, linked up with the attack two minutes before the break.

However his shot was deflected to safety with Saints forced to back pedal.

Both sides came up from the First Division in the summer but in the first half Dunfermline looked faster and sharper.

Dunfermline started the second half the way they ended the first - on theattack.

Gary Mason released Crawford but his effort from a good position went wide of the target.

They almost added a second in the 52nd minute when Danilevicius split theSaints defence with a neat back heel.

Doesburg was on it in a flash, only for Roy to react quickly and avert the danger.

Dunfermline substitute David Moss then picked out Crawford but Tommy Turner got in a vital challenge.

Saints however, stepped up the pace and Skinner did well to clear a goal-bound header from Jamie McGowan following a corner from Ricky Gillies.

Dunfermline defender Skerla was carried off in the 77th minute after a challenge by substitute Stephen McPhee, who joined St Mirren yesterday on loan from Coventry.

Marius Dijkhuizen came on for Skerla, who had been troubled with an ankle injury.

Dunfermline keeper Marco Ruitenbeek then pushed away a shot from substitute Jose Quitongo in the 81st minute.

Saints drew level 60 seconds later when McGowan got away from his marker to power home a corner from Chris Kerr.

Quitongo almost grabbed the winner but the home side could not get the victory they craved.