Jim McIntyre came off the bench to grab a second half equaliser as Dundee United spoiled Davie Hay's first SPL game in charge at Dunfermline.
McIntyre slammed a Jason Scotland cross into the roof of the net with his first touch to salvage a point that had looked out of touch for the visitors after the home side had taken a deserved lead.
Dunfermline looked comfortable in possession with the midfield trio of Barry Nicholson, Gary Dempsey and Gary Mason in control.
But despite, their grip on the game, the home side failed to create too many clear cut chances in the strength sapping heat and humidity.
Andy Tod was a surprise selection up front for the Pars and the defender won a free-kick after 12 minutes that Gary Dempsey could only fire into the defensive wall.
Tod was also wide with a header as his height and strength continued to trouble the United rearguard.
The visitors were restricted to counter attacks in the first half and wasted two of the rare chances they had when Barry Robson sent two free-kicks straight into the Pars' defensive wall.
Dunfermline were far more direct after the break and took a deserved lead just three minutes into the second half.
Dempsey pounced on a loose ball in midfield and found Mason in space on the left. Mason sent a low cross that beat the United defenders and fell to Dempsey who had continued his run. His shot was blocked but Tod was on hand to stab home from close range.
Two minutes later Nicholson blasted over from close range after United failed to clear another cross while seconds after that, a Noel Hunt cross from deep on the right was just plucked out of the air by Tony Bullock with Tod waiting to pounce as Dunfermline piled on the pressure.
Nicholson came close to a second for Dunfermline after 53 minutes but his angled volley from the back post was palmed away by a full stretch Bullock.
Bullock had to be sharp again after 61 minutes when he blocked Noel Hunt's point blank shot.
Having weathered the storm, United came back into the game and snatched an equaliser after 15 minutes when McIntyre – only on the pitch for three minutes – connected with Scotland's cross.
And United – who haven't won at East End Park since 1997 - could have snatched a scarcely deserved win late on but James Grady and Alan Archibald both shot wide.