Defences were on top in a tightly contested affair at Stark’s Park with little attacking quality.
After a tightly contested opening to the match, with both sides having spells of possession, it was Dunfermline who were first to come close to the opener. The Pars were awarded a free kick in a promising position; Lobban stepped up and fired it narrowly over the crossbar towards the keeper’s side.
Tiffoney set the ball back to Stevenson, who whipped the ball in first time, which found the head of Brown, who was caught underneath the ball and headed over.
Dowds nearly made an instant impact off the bench. McMullan pulled the ball back to the substitute, who dragged his shot narrowly past the post.
Moments later Baird met a ball in the box, but his headed effort was comfortably caught by Oxborough.
On 38 minutes Dunfermline came close to the opener. Bray found space on the edge of the box and had a shot, but his curling effort, which had the Raith Rovers keeper worried, went just past the post.
An excellent move from the home side resulted in a decent opportunity for McMullan from close range; however, his effort went past the post, much to the credit of the Dunfermline defence, who got their bodies in the way to put off the forward.
HT: Raith Rovers 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic
The first shot of the second period came from Millen, who saw his name up in lights and went for goal from outside the box, but his ambitious effort went sailing over the crossbar.
With just over twenty minutes to go, Brown played a brilliant ball over the top to Adamson, who got to the ball ahead of Oxborough, who came rushing out of his box. Adamson then went down, and much to the displeasure of the home support, the referee waved play on as Adamson went down anticipating contact and was not touched by the keeper.
Tod did well initially to work the space and lay the ball back to Oyilwoth, whose effort took a big deflection and was easily gathered by Rae.
Substitute Thomas worked space for a shot on the edge of the area and had a go, and his low effort was well saved by Rae, who got down low to deny the substitute.
With just under five minutes remaining, Thomas made a good run in behind and got to the ball ahead of the onrushing Rae, who took down the forward, but the referee believed that there was not enough to give a penalty.
After four minutes of stoppage time, the referee drew a tightly contested affair to a close. As a result, Raith Rovers move into top spot on goal difference, while Dunfermline Athletic remain in third place, but move level on points with Partick Thistle.
