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Dunfermline Athletic dropped to second in the Championship after a scrappy stalemate with Ayr United at Somerset Park.

Having won their first three league matches, the Pars struggled to create clear cut chances, while the hosts nudge up to fifth place.

The visitors had a first-half penalty appeal turned down, with the foul given just outside the box.

Ayr seldom threatened, with Dario Zanatta dragging a late shot wide.

The penalty claim came when Dom Thomas was pulled down right on the edge of the penalty area by Joe Chalmers. But referee Craig Napier deemed the infringement took place a yard outside.

There were only a couple of occasions when the goalkeepers were called into action in the first period. Viljami Sinisalo denied The Pars' Fraser Murray, while at the other end Michael Moffat's close range strike was saved By Owain Fon Williams low to his right.

In the second half, Sinisalo prevented Kerr McInroy's left foot volley from making the breakthrough, while the Ayr substitute Zanatta pulled a low shot just off target.

Ayr United manager Mark Kerr: "The teams probably cancelled each other out. They didn't really hurt us but I'm not too happy with our forward play.

"The only positive for me is that we defended set-pieces really well and the goalkeeper was tidy."

Dunfermline Athletic manager Stevie Crawford: "In terms of our professionalism and team shape, we did well to limit Ayr to just a couple of chances. To come away with a point is pleasing, but disappointing at the same time."

"I felt Dom's reaction tells the story (to the penalty claim), but it was difficult for us to see the incident and I've not seen it back."