Berwick Rangers staged a late rally to salvage a point, but it now looks as if they will have to face the play-off stages.
For three quarters of the game the Fifers were the better side and took the lead early on with ex-Berwick player Paul Hampshire hammering the ball home after Gary Kelly had set him up.
In a disappointing first half defences dominated, but soon after the re-start the visitors stepped up a gear. Rangers goalkeeper Gary O'Connor saved with his feet from Joe Savage and then turned over a fierce drive from Kelly.
The Fifers lost Greig McDonald after he went down injured. It was later confirmed he had a broken leg.
Berwick raised the tempo and an equaliser came after 74 minutes when Daniel Swanson was upended by Kelly after a solo run into the penalty area. Kevin McLeish made no mistake from the spot.
In the closing stages Rangers took complete control and Scott Morrison made a great save low down to his left from Ian Little. He then pushed away a Kevin Haynes cross.
In the final minute Berwick forced a corner on the right. McLeish swung it high into the danger area where Gareth Hutchison connected, but from six yards he lofted the ball over the bar.