St Johnstone should have taken all the points against Dunfermline on Saturday after John McQuillan levelled the scores in the 54th minute.

After that Dunfermline lost their shape and were reduced to a desperate rearguard action to save their point.

Unfortunately for St Johnstone, they could not reproduce the scoring form that earned them a place in the League Cup Final with three goals against Hearts in midweek.

Both teams got off to a good start and there was some exciting end-to-end action until the 22nd minute when Dunfermline took the lead.

Referee Stewart Dougal ignored a raised flag from his assistant after Greg Shields looked to have fouled Gary Bollan near the touchline.

Shields then fired a perfect low pass that found Andy Smith in front of goal and goalkeeper Alan Main had no chance to save his shot from four yards.

Three minutes later the visitors could have equalised but for some quick thinking by Pars goalkeeper Lee Butler who managed to block a 20-yard thunderbolt from Paul Kane.

In the 39th minute Dunfermline threw away a golden chance to extend their lead. Brilliant work by Gerry Britton put Smith and Scott Thomson through on their own but Thomson's final cross to Shields was saved by Main.