Ross County were pegged back twice as they were held to a 2-2 draw by League One leaders Dunfermline Athletic in an entertaining Scottish Cup tie.
Alex Schalk’s first goal for County gave the visitors an early lead at East End Park but Faissal El Bakhtaoui equalised for the Pars soon after.
A Brian Graham penalty after 27 minutes looked to have put the Staggies back on track for a place in the last 16 of the competition but Brad McKay capped his Pars debut with a goal to earn his side a replay.
Ross County made three changes to the team that were defeated 2-0 by Caley Thistle in last week’s Highland derby. Marcus Fraser, Raffaele de Vita and Graham were all handed starts in place of Richard Foster, Rocco Quinn and Craig Curran.
The Pars handed a debut to Brad McKay, who had joined the club on loan from St Johnstone, while former County midfielder Joe Cardle also started.
County were without their first choice strike-force of Liam Boyce and Craig Curran, who had netted 24 goals between them this term, but took only three minutes to break the deadlock.
Former Dundee United forward Brian Graham fed Dutchman Schalk who drilled the ball beyond Sean Murdoch.
Dunfermline almost mustered an immediate response but Michael Moffat was somehow unable to convert from close range following a dangerous cross from Shaun Rooney.
Former Aberdeen player Michael Paton drew a fine save from Scott Fox before Moffat volleyed over as the hosts cranked up the pressure in pursuit of an equaliser.
The Pars restored parity after 15 minutes when El Bakhtaoui latched onto an intelligent Cardle pass, evaded two challenges and slammed the ball high into the net beyond Fox.
But County were gifted the chance to regain the initiative when Pars debutant McKay fouled Schalk with a rash challenge inside the penalty area and Graham made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick.
The Staggies went close to enhancing their advantage five minutes before the break when Graham crossed for Martin Woods but the midfielder’s effort flew wide.
Dunfermline signalled their attacking intent within 50 seconds of the restart when an El Bakhtaoui volley smashed the post.
The Pars felt they should have had a penalty soon 10 minutes into the half when Fraser appeared to handle a Michael Paton cross in the box.
But the home support did not have to wait long for a second equaliser with debutant McKay rising highest inside a packed penalty area to head home a Paton corner.
County went painfully close to taking the lead moments later when Andrew Davies’ goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Josh Falkingham.
With play was flowing from end to end at a frantic pace, Paton should have put the Pars ahead when he shot straight at Fox from only two yards out.
Dunfermline almost won it at the death when El Bakhtaoui’s long-range strike struck the crossbar with two minutes remaining.