Aberdeen 1 – 0 St Mirren
Charlie Mulgrew snatched victory for the Dons with a late free-kick.  The win moved Aberdeen up to fifth spot but they left it late to grab the win. Mulgrew had earlier hit the bar with a free-kick but he found the net with a similar effort three minutes from time.

Saints, who had threatened through Stephen McGinn in the first half, saw former Aberdeen defender Lee Mair red-carded for two yellow cards - both for dissent. He was booked for complaining about an earlier free-kick then saw red for remarks to the referee following Mulgrew's winner – awarded following a foul by John Potter on Darren Mackie.
 
Celtic 2 – 1 Hearts
Celtic moved two points clear at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after coming from behind to beat Hearts in an exciting Parkhead clash.  The home side, who dropped skipper Stephen McManus, went behind when Suso put the visitors ahead after five minutes with a fine solo run and strike. But Chris Killen, who had earlier seen a shot saved by Hearts goalkeeper Janos Balogh, headed the leveller early in the second half and Glenn Loovens bagged the winner with a header in the third minute of injury time.
 
Dundee United 0 – 1 Motherwell
Motherwell maintained their excellent start to the season with a win which moved them into fourth spot and ended Dundee United's unbeaten start to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season.  Lukas Jutkiewicz had forced a good save out of Nicky Weaver in the first half before Sean Dillon fouled Jim O'Brien allowing Ross Forbes to score from the spot halfway through the second half.  Visiting 'keeper John Ruddy made terrific stops from home defenders Andy Webster and Darren Dods to ensure 'Well departed Tannadice with all three points.
 
Hamilton 0 – 0 Falkirk
The SPL's strugglers played out a drab draw at New Douglas Park but the football was overshadowed by an early injury to the home side's Derek Lyle.  The Accies striker caught his studs in the turf in the first minute and there was a lengthy delay before he was carried off. It was subsequently confirmed he will miss the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage.

The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was when Carl Finnigan had the ball in the net only to have it ruled out for a push on Martin Canning.
 
Hibernian 3 – 0 St Johnstone
Hibs moved up to third position in the table after showing sharper reactions up front than Saints.  Anthony Stokes took the ball on his chest and drilled in his first goal of the season for the opener after 21 minutes then Derek Riordan beat Alan Main with a similarly crisp finish after 36 minutes.  Stokes wrapped up the points with a free-kick which deceived Main with 17 minutes left, leaving Derek McInnes to rue tidy play but a lack of punch up front.
 
Kilmarnock 0 – 0 Rangers
Pedro Mendes and his manager Walter Smith were sent off as Rangers were toppled from the crest of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table in an untidy goalless draw at Rugby Park.

Mendes, the third Rangers player to be sent off this season, was booked for a foul on Craig Bryson then saw red before the interval for a tackle on the same player – a decision which saw Smith sent to the stand.  Manuel Pascali, who had been booked for a foul on Nacho Novo, saw red late on for a pull on Steven Davis' jersey.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 21 September 2009