St Mirren’s Championship woes continued on Saturday as Dunfermline Athletic struck late to claim a 4-3 win at East End Park.

Saints had interim manager Allan McManus at the helm for the first time, a new formation, and some there was some signs of improvement as they showed resilience during the seesaw encounter that has been sorely lacking throughout the season.

But the defensive lapses which dogged the side during Alex Rae’s reign this season were once again apparent; none more so than Kyle Hutton’s bizarre back pass to Scott Gallacher in the 85th minute which gifted substitute Farid El Alagui an easy chance for the winner.

With Dunfermline Cemetery in view behind the North Stand at East End Park, St Mirren were determined to show they were not dead men walking in this season’s Championship as they arrived bottom of the table but with the chance to leapfrog their hosts with a win.

McManus made one change from the 1-1 draw at Dumbarton. Tom Walsh dropped out for Rocco Quinn who was back after injury.

There was a change in system for Saints as McManus opted for a 4-2-3-1 with Stevie Mallan playing behind lone striker John Sutton, Ryan Hardie and Lewis Morgan filled the wide roles.

The Pars had the first clear chance of the game after 10 minutes. Nicky Clark was played down the right channel by Michael Paton, the striker clipped a ball in into the box for Joe Cardle but it was just behind the midfielder who couldn't adjust in time and he scuffed a volley wide of target from 10 yards.

Saints struggled to impose themselves, the first half hour past them by without creating anything of note and the home side were winning most of the 50/50 challenges.

But with their first shot on target the Buddies broke the deadlock. Pars right back Lewis Martin missed an easy clearance and Morgan dispossessed him, he hit the byline on the left and swung a cross in, the clearance from Callum Fordyce was poor and landed back at the winger's feet. Morgan kept his composure to pick out Sutton on the penalty spot, his side foot effort found the far corner despite Jason Talbot’s attempts to clear on the line and Saints were ahead for the first time in the league this season.

However that lead wouldn’t last long. In the 40th minute Michael Paton did well to fend off challenges from Quinn and Hutton before playing the ball to Jason Talbot on the left. The full back took a touch and whipped in a fantastic cross which was begging to be converted, Nicky Clark was on hand with a diving header to level the tie.

But then the pendulum swung the Paisley side's way once again. A long, hopeful ball from the right by Hardie was allowed to bounce by Fordyce and Sutton chased it down. The ball bounced on the edge of the area and the striker finished superbly into the corner with his left foot to send Saints into the break ahead.

Dunfermline started the second half on the front foot. Cardle and then Reilly faced up Scott Gallacher but neither could hit the target.

Saints responded with a good move of their own. Mallan did well to hold off John Herron in midfield before playing the ball to Naismith on the right. The full back played it upfield for Sutton before going on the overlap and getting the ball back from the striker, from a tight angle he fired a shot across goal but it went wide.

Sutton then passed up a chance for his hat-trick when he headed wide from a Mallan free kick.

Just after the hour mark the home fans were on their feet again as the Pars found parity. Substitute Ryan Williamson from the right and Reilly met it well on the half-volley, Gallacher saved well to save but the ball dropped at the feet of Cardle. The winger’s strike rattled the post and bounced out. It could’ve gone anywhere but as Saints luck has been recently it bounced straight off the knee of substitute Andy Webster and rebounded into the net.

Both teams went toe-to toe in a second half which flowed both ways. Geggan fired over when through on goal before Mallan saw his left-footed volley from the edge of the area fly just wide.

But it was the home side that got their noses in front for the first time. A ball from the right from Paton found Clark in acres of space after he ghosted in on the blind side of Jack Baird. The striker had the freedom of Dunfermline and slotted home his second of the afternoon.

But then came a moment of inspiration for the Buddies. A Naismith throw in on the right was backheeled by Mallan for Hardie who took a touch and sent a terrific strike into the top corner from 22 yards with his weaker left foot.

But just when the Buddies were finding inspiration at one end of the pitch, the same old failings in defence came back to haunt them once again. Kyle Hutton had the ball in the right back area and played a pass back to the goalkeeper without looking. Gallacher wasn't expecting it, but substitute El Alagui was and he nipped in ahead of the keeper and slotted the ball underneath him to make it 4-3.

Dunfermline Athletic: Murdoch, Talbot, Martin, Ashcroft, Fordyce (Williamson, 45), Geggan, Cardle (McMullan, 79), Herron, Paton, Clark, Reilly (El Alagui, 73) Subs not used: Hutton, McCabe, Higginbotham, Moffat.

St Mirren: Gallagher, Naismith, Baird, MacKenzie (Webster, 44) Irvine, Quinn, Hutton, Hardie, Mallan, Morgan (Walsh, 67), Sutton.

Subs not used: Langfield, McDonald, Whyte, Clarkson, Shankland.

Attendance: 2,732