Dunfermline blew the chance to return to the top of League One after conceding a late equaliser to Peterhead in an entertaining encounter at Balmoor Stadium.
The Pars, who went in front with Faissal El Bakhtaoui’s first-half goal, dominated large chunks of the match and should have been out of sight by the time Jamie Stevenson stooped to head home with two minutes remaining Jim Jefferies team carved out a number of opportunities but a combination of impressive goalkeeping from Graeme Smith and wastefulness in the final third saw them having to settle for a point.
They began with intent and were rewarded for their bright opening in the 19th minute.
Ross Millen, who put in numerous telling deliveries throughout, sent in a great cross from the right and El Baktaoui was unmarked to nod past Smith from eight yards.
The Pars nearly doubled their lead in the 36th minute with a swift break. Lewis Spence burst forward and linked with Andy Geggan before setting up Michael Moffat, whose shot from just inside the penalty area was beaten away by Smith.
The hosts were camped inside their own half and had to rely on breakaways, although Ryan Strachan did test Ryan Scully with a well-struck 25-yard drive which was touched behind.
Moffat created an opportunity on his own four minutes after the interval after an impressive mazy run saw him slalom his way past the home defence but his eventual effort was smothered by Smith.
As the match wore on, Peterhead started to ask more questions of their full-time opponents, with Jordon Brown heading a Steven Noble free-kick over the crossbar and substitute Bryan Gilfillan failing to keep his header down.
Without being on the ropes, Dunfermline dropped deeper and deeper.
Peterhead sensed an equaliser and it arrived from a set-piece in the 88th minute.
Steven Noble’s free-kick was headed back across goal by Gilfillan and Jamie Stevenson was perfectly placed to head in.
The failure of Jim Jefferies’ men to pick up three points means Forfar stay at the summit, despite succumbing to Morton.
For Peterhead, the late goal was sweet after they felt a sense of injustice following the last meeting of the teams at East End Park.
Back then, the Blue Toon were reduced to eight men and eventually lost 3-0.