The have now only managed to win just threee home SPL matches from 10 so far this season. This result ends any faint hopes that they had of qualifying for Europe next year.
After a very lack-lustre start to the game, it was the visitors who came closest after six minutes when persistent play by ex Don Derek Young saw his low cross into the area reach Lee Makell who, from a good position 14 yards out, wasted his shot.
After 15 minutes following some sustained pressure around Dunfermline's box, Chris Clark's left-hand cross was nodded back into the path of Jamie Winters by Barry Nicholson. However, the Dons' youngster failed to trouble Allan McGregor with his effort from 22 yards.
Aberdeen striker Stevie Crawford should have punished the visitors after 28 minutes when a long ball out of defence from Andrew Constidine was missed by Andy Tod allowing Crawford a free run on goal, but Greg Shields and McGregor combined to block his 16-yard effort.
Aberdeen's best passage of play in a very poor first half came just before half-time when Smith and Crawford set up Nicholson, and his shot saw McGregor getting down well to hold the Aberdeen's man's fierce 22-yard drive.
Aberdeen showed a lot more urgency in the second half with the introduction of Darren Mackie and Richie Foster. However, they still lacked the cutting edge to break down a resolute Dunfermline defence.
Aberdeen's play was becoming a bit desperate and this was emphasised after 60 minutes when Russell Anderson drove out of defence, but with options left and right he chose to shoot from distance with his effort sailing well off target.
A forceful run by Clark down the left after 62 minutes saw his cut-back fall in to the path of Crawford, whose first time effort from 12 yards ricocheted off Jamie McCunnie on the way to safety.
The visitors almost snatched an unlikely lead when Young's free-kick was only just off target with the aid of a deflection.Then only a last-gasp block by Aberdeen's Jamie Langfield stopped Mark Burchill scoring what would have been the winner.