Dunfermline Athletic had to settle for a point against Ayr United, despite surging into a two-goal lead after just nine minutes.
Alex Jakubiak bagged his first goal for the club in just the third minute in a stunning opening for the Fifers.
And that was followed just seven minutes later by his second.
James McPake’s men were fully in control and brimming with confidence, but Ayr pulled one back with an Aiden McGeady strike four minutes from the break.
And former Raith Rovers defender Frankie Musonda then restored parity with his 63rd minute leveller.
Absentees and one key player back involved
The big news for the Pars, especially with the Fife derby to follow on Tuesday, was the return of skipper Kyle Benedictus.
The defender has been out for two months with a thigh problem picked up on his comeback in October from a broken foot.
After being handled carefully in his recovery, the former Dundee stopper was deemed fit enough to take his place on the bench.
And was called into action with 21 minutes remaining as Rhys Breen’s hamstring issues flared once more – but finished the match limping.
But, as expected, Chris Hamilton missed out with his fractured cheekbone, whilst Lewis McCann’s hamstring issue sustained against Arbroath last weekend meant he was also unavailable.
In addition, there was no place in the squad for Ewan Otoo, to break his 100 per cent league record.
Matty Todd also dropped out, but Sam Fisher returned from his concussion lay-off.
Lightning start from DAFC
Ayr United won a fruitless corner within the first minute, but it was Dunfermline who enjoyed a dream opening.
There were only two minutes on the clock when they made the breakthrough.
Michael O’Halloran managed to squeeze a low cross in from the right bye-line and Jakubiak was strong with his back to goal.
Swivelling swiftly, the former Dundee marksman flashed his shot on the turn into the net from eight yards.
If that was good, it was to get even better for the Pars just seven minutes later.
This time, Jakubiak had more to do as he accepted a pass from Ben Summers on the left side of the box.
But, brimming with confidence, the 27-year-old accelerated away from his marker and drilled a low shot beyond Robbie Mutch in the Ayr goal.
Confident Pars
The belief coursed through Dunfermline after such a stunning start.
Joe Chalmers, captain for the day, saw one shot deflected over, Josh Edwards came close with a run and shot and Summers also threated – all within the space of three minutes.
Fisher proved his worth at the other end with two blocks when Ayr did threaten through McGeady and Dowds.
But Mutch’s outstretched right boot denied Wighton as Jakubiak came to life again with a penetrating run.
And Jakubiak then poked a shot wide of the upright as he sought his hat-trick following Wighton’s assist.
Ayr United comeback
The next goal came for Ayr in the 41st minute, however, to give the home side hope for the second-half.
Anton Dowds did well on the right and arrowed in a low centre that McGeady, benefitting from a Chalmers slip, rolled beyond the exposed Deniz Mehmet.
The goal gave the Honest Men a boost after the break and they were vastly improved as they hauled themselves level in the 63rd minute.
A free-kick was chipped into a crowded box where George Stanger nodded back for Musonda to head high past Mehmet.
In a frantic finale, substitute Owen Moffat screwed a low shot just past the post in search of a late winner.
Star Man: Alex Jakubiak
Jakubiak’s past performances have often deserved more since he joined Dunfermline in September.
But his confidence has appeared to take a dent by his failure to break his duck until now.
The hope will be that scoring in his 14th game for the Pars will be start of more to come in front of goal.
Player Ratings
Dunfermline Athletic (3-4-1-2): Mehmet 6; Comrie 6, Fisher 7, Breen 6 (Benedictus 69 4); O’Halloran 7 (J Sutherland 78 3), Allan 6, Chalmers 6, Edwards 6; Summers 7 (Moffat 65 4); Wighton 6, Jakubiak 7. Subs not used: Sharp, Little, Fenton, Hoggan. Booked: Wighton, Edwards.
Referee: Ross Hardie.
Attendance: 2,022.
