Substitute Owen Morrison cancelled out Thomas Buffel's opener for Rangers to give the home side a deserved draw.
Dunfermline had a chance in the opening seconds but Mark Burchill rushed his effort and the ball flew high over the top.
But Rangers came back and Buffel should have opened the scoring after a misunderstanding between Scott Wilson and Roddy McKenzie, but he sent his shot wide.
The Belgian midfield player had another opening moments later but again failed to trouble McKenzie.
Rangers did not get things all their own way as Dunfermline hounded them throughout the first half.
Stephen Simmons forced Lionel Letizi into the first save with a well-struck free-kick after 11 minutes.
A minute later, Charlie Adam had a clear-cut chance at the other end but his finishing touch deserted him.
Chances were few and far between in a hard-fought first half but Gary Mason came close three minutes from the break as Dunfermline showed they were capable of an upset.
Libor Sionko was wild with a 20-yard shot early in the second half but Paul Le Guen decided to change things and sent on Chris Burke and Kris Boyd.
The changes had the desired effect. Buffel finally made the breakthrough when he got in behind the Dunfermline defence after a mistake by Scott Wilson to slip the ball beyond McKenzie.
But Dunfermline were level after 69 minutes. Letizi collided with Julien Rodriguez and the ball broke for Morrison to net a simple goal.
Rangers finished strongly but the Pars battled hard to hold onto their point.