Dunfermline skipper Kyle Benedictus headed home a stoppage-time equaliser to prevent William Hill Championship pace-setters Falkirk from establishing an eight-point gap in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

The leaders took a 24th-minute lead at KDM Group East End Park when Callumn Morrison struck after Ross MacIver had controlled a cross, only for the hosts to level almost immediately, striker Chris Kane beating keeper Nicky Hogarth from the penalty spot after Liam Henderson had fouled him.

The visitors restored their advantage nine minutes after the restart when Aidan Nesbitt was played through from a free-kick and fired into the bottom corner, but the Pars were back in it with 27 minutes remaining when Matty Todd converted a second penalty awarded against Brad Spencer for handball.

Henderson looked to have snatched victory for the Bairns at the death when he dispatched substitute Calvin Miller’s 87th-minute cross from close range.

However, Benedictus headed a third equaliser from a corner two minutes into stoppage time to deny the visitors.