St Mirren cut the gap at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship to four points after a goalless draw with Dunfermline at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Both sides had chances throughout the match but in the end neither could make the breakthrough with both earning a point.
Saints started off brightly with Lewis Morgan winning an early corner before dragging a shot wide of Sean Murdoch's goal.
But, as was the nature of the entire match, it was end-to-end stuff with Paul McMullan setting up Kallum Higginbotham with a good chance. However, Billy O'Brien did well to block.
And a minute later, Cammy Smith was almost through on goal after being played in by Josh Todd, who was making his first St Mirren start. But the loanee was thwarted by a Murdoch and a Pars defender who closed down before he could get his shot away.
Adam Eckersley almost got his first goal for the Saints when he let fly from 25 yards. The full back caught the ball sweetly on his left foot and he thundered it towards the top corner only to see Murdoch push it over the bar.
Morgan was Saints biggest threat in the early proceedings with the winger sending one straight into the arms of Murdoch before flicking the ball just wide of the right hand post after a ball in from Gary Irvine.
The visitors started to grow into the match are a strong spell from the home side with Harry Davis having to clear a dangerous looking ball into the box by Jason Talbot. It went out for a corner where Nicky Clark got his head on it, crashing off the bar and going out.
Stephen McGinn had a decent chance on the edge of the box when he was picked out by Todd. But the captain sent his low volley wide.
Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dunfermline
Michael Moffat went close to giving the visitors the lead just 45 seconds into the second half when he fizzed the ball just over O'Brien's cross bar.
Saints won a corner which Gary MacKenzie almost got his head on after an excellent delivery from Stevie Mallan, but it was well defended by Callum Morris.
O'Brien made a great fingertip save to deny McMullan after the speedy forward went on a good solo run and unleashed a fierce effort which the goalkeeper had to touch over the bar.
Lewis Morgan had a gilt-edged chance on the break from Dunfermline's corner. Mallan robbed McMullan deep in the Dunfermline half and played it to Smith who picked out Morgan in acres of space. The winger took it first time, but his effort was weak and easily collected by Murdoch.
Saints tails were up though and Murdoch was made to work when substitute Rory Loy attempted to squeeze one it at the near post.
The end-to-end nature of the match continued though with both sides searching for the breakthrough. O'Brien gathered from McMullan before Moffat created good space for himself in the box but couldn't get his shot away.
The game started to peter out but there were still a few nervy moments for both teams going into the final ten minutes.
O'Brien had to do well as he made a good stop to deny Michael Paton after a quick break from the Pars. It could so easily have been ended up in the back of Saints net but the keeper was alert to the danger and helped his side to earn a point and move closer to Ayr United in the table.
Full Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dunfermline
St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, MacKenzie, Davis, Eckersley, McGinn, Mallan, Smith (Stelios 80), Todd (Loy 54), Morgan, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Baird, Storie, Fjelde, Magennis
Dunfermline: Murdoch, Talbot, Ashcroft, Morris, Herron, Geggan, Wedderburn, Clark, Moffat, McMullan, Higginbotham (Paton 74)
Subs Not Used: Gill, Fordyce, Cardle, McCabe, Reilly, Spence
Referee: Stephen Finnie
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Assistant Referee: Connor Ashwood
Attendance: 4,582
