Raith Rovers’ hunt for an elusive win that would ease their relegation worries continued after Dougie Hill rescued a point against Alloa.
The visitors went ahead in the 23rd minute with a fine strike from Eddie Ferns but a vastly improved second-half performance from Rovers yielded a leveller from the head of Hill following a Joe Cardle corner.
Grant Murray’s side dominated after the break but could not find a way past Alloa keeper Scott Bain, who also had team-mate Graeme Holmes to thank for clearing a Calum Elliot effort off the line.
The point moves Raith, who have not won in nine Championship matches, four points clear of Cowdenbeath in the relegation play-off place.
Murray said: “From the way we started the game, I’m very happy to get a point. We created a lot of chances. We have to be more ruthless in the final third. We have to get on top of teams and punish them when we get on top.”
Both teams contributed to a scrappy start and subsequently a paucity of chances. Raith pressed but a lack of invention in the final third meant Bain had little to do.
When the first shot on target arrived in the 23rd minute, it generated the opening goal from the visitors.
Kevin Moon was dispossessed by Liam Lindsay as the Raith midfielder attempted to get his team moving forward after a sliced clearance by goalkeeper Lee Robinson.
Ferns ran on to Lindsay’s pass in a central position from goal and tucked a low right-footed shot into the corner of the net from 18 yards.
Robinson was called into action just moments later but got down well to a dipping Kevin Cawley effort from the corner of the box.
Alloa’s goal sparked the hosts into action as they set about trying to bring the game level.
Gordon Smith was unable to get any power on a Grant Anderson cross from 10 yards and the ball bounced comfortably into Bain’s arms.
Laurie Ellis then headed just inches wide from a Cardle delivery in the 35th minute.
Raith were the architects of their own problems at times and the unmarked Cawley glanced a header just over from a Jonathan Tiffoney cross after Cardle had surrendered possession all too easily in his own half.
Raith were booed off at half-time but a forceful run from Jason Thomson that culminated in a low drive across goal gave the home fans some encouragement.
The hosts cancelled out Ferns’ opener in the 54th minute through Hill.
Cardle’s corner looked to be harmlessly drifting beyond the far post but Hill managed to loop a header into the far corner over Bain and Stephen Simmons.
Alloa midfielder Holmes was then well placed to keep out substitute Elliot’s close range shot on the line.
Raith dominated the final stages but could not find a winning goal. Bain played his part and tipped a stinging Ross Callachan effort over.
Alloa manager Barry Smith said: “We showed some great spirit in the second half, they dug in and showed some good resilience.”