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League One leaders Dunfermline held Premiership Ross County to a breathless Scottish Cup draw at East End Park.

Alex Schalk put the visitors ahead in the fourth round tie after being teed up by strike partner, Brian Graham.

A terrific strike from Faissal El Bakhtaoui levelled for the Dunfermline, before Brad McKay felled Schalk in the penalty box to concede a spot-kick, duly dispatched by Graham.

McKay redeemed himself by heading an equaliser for the Pars after the break.

County were shorn of strikers Craig Curran and Liam Boyce through concussion and a broken hand respectively, with Schalk and Graham proving more than able deputies, combining for both of the Highlanders' goals.

Schalk was laid-on by Graham to smash in his powerful opener in the first five minutes.

But El Bakhtaoui equalised brilliantly as he evaded challenges inside the box, continuing on his route to goal in spite of defending that may have won him a penalty, and slotting beyond Scott Fox.

In an end-to-end encounter, County were soon ahead again, when McKay dived in unnecessarily on Schalk, and was adjudge to have fouled the striker.

After Graham netted from the spot, the Pars piled on the pressure with a series of corners, but could not draw level before half-time.

McKay, on loan from St Johnstone, did make one of those corners count shortly after the break with his headed effort beating Fox.

Michael Paton ought to have nudged Dunfermline ahead for the first time when the ball ricocheted into his path in the box, but he directed his effort straight at the County stopper.

Michael Gardyne too might have done better with a left-foot effort in the closing stages, although the ball appeared to bobble before the midfielder let fly.

And in the dying minutes, El Bakhtaoui saw another fine individual effort clatter downwards off the crossbar before it was cleared from the goalmouth.