Results elsewhere dictated that Dundee would be playing first division football next season with Dundee United, Livingston and the Pars all avoiding the drop.
A rejuvenated Dunfermline side under the management of Jim Leishman had recorded vital wins in the last few weeks and it seemed a fair shout that the Fifers would claim a result from Kilmarnock that would ensure beyond any doubt their safety.
However, that wasn't to be the case and in the end the nervous travelling supporters was forced to wait on results elsewhere.
There was only ever one side in this match and that was Jim Jefferies' team.
In the 13th minute Killie almost broke the deadlock with the first goal attempt of the match when Rhian Dodds embarked on a great run and shot narrowly over the bar from 20 yards.
However in the 26th minute Kilmarnock deservedly took the lead on the balance of play. Peter Leven's corner from the right found Gary Locke well positioned in the six-yard box and he netted despite the best attempts of Craig Wilson on the goal-line.
Aside from these two efforts there was very little of note in the first half but within 60 seconds of the restart Killie added a second goal.
A low cross from the right by Gary Wales was touched back by Kris Boyd into the path of Dodds who calmly netted from eight yards out.
Five minutes later Dunfermline wasted a brilliant opportunity to pull one back. Derek Young crossed from the right and his brother Darren fired inches wide of Alan Combe's left-hand post.
Kilmarnock extended their lead in the 54th minute. Steven Naismith sent in a low cross from the right and Boyd netted with a six-yard strike with Derek Stillie badly out of position.
Gary McDonald scored a brilliant fourth goal for Killie in the 64th minute with the outside of his right foot. The ball curled into the right-hand corner of Stillie's net, with the outstanding Naismith again the provider.