The first real attempt on goal came from Greig McDonald who was offside when he hit the ball over the bar from close in.
Ciaran Donnelly made a few hearts miss a beat in 18 minutes when his attempted clearance came off Rovers’ goalpost.
This was followed by a couple of follow-up shots, which David Scott stopped with his legs.
John Gemmell directed a free-kick straight to keeper Craig Wight, then a high ball into the area was punched clear by the on-form Rovers keeper.
No doubt the East Fife players were told during the break that the score at Stair Park was going their way and that the championship was in their own hands.
Early after the restart, Ryan Blackadder tried his luck from distance but it was well off the mark.
Bobby Barr sparked into life and embarked on a long run downfield. He passed to Gemmell who was tackled but managed to regain possession and fire a low shot into the side netting.
Bobby Linn forced a save from Scott then Blackadder fired a free-kick which rebounded off the crossbar to safety.
Linn then incurred the wrath of the referee when he was booked for diving.
Rovers were weathering a storm and Kevin Fotheringham hit a free-kick into Rovers’ area that Donnelly headed clear.
Iain Chisholm replaced Barr in 80 minutes then Willie Martin, returning from injury, replaced Ally Martin a couple of minutes later.
Kevin Gordon was on a long run which ended with a well judged Michael McGowan tackle inside Rovers’ penalty area.
W. Martin was at the right place at the right time for Rovers when he cleared a McDonald header off the line following a corner.
Chisholm’s short-lived involvement in the match was ended after a tackle by Fotheringham but the referee took no action.
In injury time both sides pressed for a winner, but Scott sparkled for Rovers to deny the home side a championship winning knees-up.
This was a fine battling performance from Rovers against a team well ahead at the top of the table with David Scott’s superb goalkeeping a major factor.
East Fife: Wight, McDonald, Cameron, Smart, Tweed, Fotheringham, Linn (Gordon 82), Stewart, Blackadder, Templeman (Young 60), McManus (O’Reilly 82).
Subs not used: Greenhill, Stobie.
Albion Rovers: Scott, Buckley, McGowan, Donnelly, Benton, Watson, Barr (Chisholm 80, McDougal 88), Reid, Gemmell, Pat Walker, A. Martin (W. Martin 82).
Subs not used: McStay, Mitchell.
Referee: Scott McDonald.
AC082208F Buckley
AC082308F Tackle
FORWARD THINKING ...Rovers striker John Gemmell takes the game to the league leaders during Saturday’s no score draw at New Bayview.
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