Super sub Cherif Toure-Maman rescued Livingston in the shootout between two sides with claims to be Scotland's third-best team.

A Craig Brewster strike shortly after the break appeared to have consolidated Dunfermline Athletic's position on top of the pack well adrift of the Old Firm.

But Livi, who finished third last season, equalised 11 minutes from time thanks to a superb first touch by Togo midfielder Toure-Maman - his third goal in two substitute appearances.

Toure-Maman (left) scored the equaliser

Livi had been looking for their third successive Scottish Premier League win after two wins away from the City Stadium.

Manager Jim Leishman was able to call upon the services of Oscar Rubio and Burton O'Brien after the pair recovered from injury problems.

Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood dropped defenders Andre Karnebeek and Scott Walker after last Sunday's 4-1 defeat from Celtic.

Versatile David Nicholls and Gus MacPherson took their place in the visitors' starting line-up.

Dunfermline looked the more threatening early on, but it was Livingston who created the first chance.

Lee Makel's clever cross found David Bingham in the box, but the former Pars forward's first-time flick floated straight into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek.

Lee Bullen and Stevie Crawford both missed the target with long-range efforts at the other end.

A powerful drive by Quino from 18 yards forced Ruitenbeek to fist the ball.

Dunfermline hit back and Crawford beat Rubio to a long through ball, but goalkeeper Javier Sanchez-Broto was quick off his line to block.

A deflection fell kindly for Bingham at the edge of the Pars box, but he missed the ball with his attempted drive.

Bingham did better soon after, his low drive squirming under Ruitenbeek but wide of the post as Livi began to exert control.

Brewster squandered a chance when he volleyed over from 12 yards as a scrappy first-half drew to a close.

Dunfermline played in the old Livi strip

The veteran did better two minutes after the break after a break by striking partner Crawford.

He sent Gary Demspey charging towards the Livi rearguard and his pass across the 18 yard box was side-footed home by Brewster.

Livi came close to equalising when a Barry Wilson header seemed destined for the top corner until Ruitenbeek's fingertips touched the ball on to the bar and MacPherson headed the ball clear.

Brewster broke quickly to the other end, his superb long ball into the box found Dempsey and the midfielder side-stepped two defenders before lifting the ball over Broto - and the crossbar.

Bullen also squandered a chance when he broke clear, beat two defenders, but drove wide of the far post.

Dunfermline paid for sitting back when a shot from Eugene Dadi deflected into the path of Toure-Maman and the substitute powered his drive into the top corner from 16 yards.

Livingston: Broto, Brinquin, Rubio, Andrews, Bollan, Quino, Makel, O'Brien (Toure-Maman 78), Wilson (Zarate 72), Dadi, Bingham (Xausa 72).
Subs Not Used: McEwan, Bahoken.

Booked: Brinquin.

Goal: Toure-Maman 79.

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, MacPherson, Skerla, Scott Wilson, Nicholls, Nicholson, Scott Thomson, Dempsey (Mason 65), Bullen, Brewster, Crawford.
Subs Not Used: Stillie, Karnebeek, Hampshire, Kilgannon.

Booked: Scott Wilson, MacPherson.

Goal: Brewster 47.

Attendance: 6,324

Referee: J Rowbotham.