Celtic 1 St Mirren 0
Celtic left it late but they did enough to maintain their lead in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. They struggled to break down a well-organised and diligent Saints side who missed a good first-half chance when Steven Thomson had a fresh-air swipe at Kenny McLean's cross. Celtic's closest chance came when Anthony Stokes headed Cha Du-Ri's cross over the top. The home side brought on Shaun Maloney at the interval after four months out, and he and fellow sub Kris Commons combined for the former Derby wide man to drive home the only goal with twelve minutes left. Saints almost snatched a point in injury-time when skipper John Potter drove narrowly wide.
Aberdeen 0 Hibernian 1
Hibs condemned Aberdeen to their third defeat in seven days thanks to Akpo Sodje's first-half strike. Sodje took advantage of youngster Peter Pawlett's slip to drive home after 15 minutes. Aberdeen tried to battle back and Chris Maguire drove against the base of the post as the home side responded. Mark Brown turned Maguire's effort against the post after the break then Josh Magennis headed against the underside of the bar from Stevie Smith's cross, but Colin Calderwood's side held out against his former Scotland manager.
Hearts 0 Motherwell 0
Motherwell confirmed a top-six place with a hard-fought point at Tynecastle. Ryan Stevenson forced a good save out of Darren Randolph but Motherwell twice struck the woodwork - Steven Saunders hitting the post and Ross Forbes hitting the bar with a free-kick. Forbes came narrowly wide in the closing minutes but in the end Motherwell, who'd left regulars John Sutton and Jamie Murphy on the bench with next week's Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone in mind, were happy with the point. Saunders had to be taken off at the interval with a hamstring injury and is doubtful for next weekend's semi, but Chris Humphrey, who was also replaced, will be fit.
Kilmarnock 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1
Caley Thistleâs top six hopes ended when they were held to a draw at Rugby Park. Inverness CT went ahead when Jonny Hayes ran from the halfway line and converted with a fine finish after ten minutes but three minutes later the home side levelled when Liam Kelly ran through to lob Ryan Esson from the edge of the box. Alexei Eremenko created a great chance for William Gros to win it for the home side after the break but he headed wide of the target.
Dundee United 2 St Johnstone 0
St Johnstone's goal drought continued after they went down at Tannadice, having played almost all the game with ten men. Steven Anderson was booked in the opening minute for a foul on Danny Swanson then shown a second yellow after 15 minutes for a foul on the same player - leaving home manager Derek McInnes disgusted with the United man. United took advantage when Swanson's shot was deflected and Johnny Russell took the ball round Graeme Smith to score. The Saints players were furious the goal was allowed to stand and McInnes was sent to the stand for his protests. Substitute David Robertson added United's second with five minutes remaining when he converted David Goodwillie's cross.
Hamilton Academical 0 Rangers 1 (Sunday)
Rangers kept the pressure on Celtic at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - but it was a struggle in the sun at New Douglas Park. Nikica Jelavic scored the only goal of the game in the first-half - but Allan McGregor had earlier been the visitors' saviour with a penalty save from Dougie Imrie. Accies were awarded the 16th minute spot-kick when Steven Davis tripped Imrie in the box - but his kick was comfortably saved by McGregor. Hamilton were then made to pay when Alex Neil brought Jelavic down at the edge of the box and the Croat curled in the free-kick. Accies tried to get back into the game after the break but the closest they came was sub Jim McAlister's shot which McGregor turned away.
By
cbfootball.co.uk
Last updated: 11 April 2011