Rangers heap more misery on struggling Aberdeen, Inverness continue their winning ways from home in the league. Hearts overcome the Perth Saints, as Hibs help rivals Hearts by beating Motherwell who drop from third spot. And it is honours even between Dundee United and Kilmarnock.
Rangers 2-0 Aberdeen
Rangers extended their lead at the top of the SPL table after beating struggling Aberdeen 2-0 at Ibrox. It was the Pittodrie side’s fourth successive defeat in the league, but it was a much improved performance than last weekend when they shipped in nine goals.
Kenny Miller headed home to give Rangers an early lead, and it was 2-0 within half an hour through on loan midfielder Vladimir Weiss.
They could have extended their lead from the penalty spot after Steven Whittaker was brought down in the box by Zander Diamond, however Jamie Langfield saved Miller’s penalty.
Aberdeen rarely threatened in the second half, and despite Steven Naismith and Gregg Wylde coming close for Rangers, Walter Smith’s men could not add to their score.
Dundee Utd 1-1 Kilmarnock
Dundee United and Kilmarnock had to settle for a share of the spoils at Tannadice, after both sides scored within a minute of one another.
In form Killie striker Conor Sammon struck to break the deadlock after 22 minutes, but United were level just 60 seconds later when Johnny Russell latched onto a Prince Buaben pass and hit the back of the net.
In the Second Half both Sammon and Eremenko came close for Killie, and United missed a late chance through Jon Daly.
Sammon and Alexei Eremenko went close for Killie after the break, while Jon Daly missed a late chance for United. And at the Final Whistle both had to settle for a solitary point each.
Hibernian 2-1 Motherwell
Derek Riordan scored both goals to secure Hibernian their second win on the trot, with a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Easter Road.
Nick Blackman gave Motherwell the lead early on from the penalty spot. However Riordan, just back from suspension, equalised for Hibs soon after.
And then a defensive blunder from Stephen Craigan allowed Riordan to run through on goal one on one with the goalkeeper and he finished superbly.
Into the second half and both sides could not find their footing, as the tackles flew in. Riordan was denied his hat trick with a brilliant save from Well keeper Darren Randolph.
St Johnstone 0-2 Hearts
Hearts secured their second 2-0 victory in two games as they overcame St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. Colin Samuel wasted a glorious chance for the Perth Saints just before half time.
And it was Hearts who broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, when Kevin Kyle fired home. But the Jambos had to wait until Ryan Stevenson scored, to make sure the points were returning to Tynecastle, although there was a hint of offside.
The victory now sees Hearts jump to third place in the SPL.
Hamilton 1-3 Inverness CT
Inverness continued their amazing undefeated run of away league games to 17, as they scored three second-half goals against bottom side Hamilton Accies.
Dougie Imrie scored against his former club, to give Accies the lead just before the half hour mark.
But in the Second Half, two defensive errors within seven minutes gifted Inverness the lead, as first Adam Rooney and then Jonny Hayes scored for the Highland side.
And Hamilton’s misery was compounded when Rooney added his second as he headed home at the back post on the hour mark.
