Dunfermline Athletic 1 Dundee United 4
United eased the pressure on under-fire boss Peter Houston with a thumping East End Park win.  United were already two up before the home side had Gary Mason sent off after 26 minutes, Paul Dixon scoring with a volley following Willo Flood's free-kick and Dixon then set up Lauri Dalla Valle for a simple finish.  Mason was red-carded for a challenge on Johnny Russell and although Andy Kirk fired home from Paddy Boyle's cross, United took advantage of their numerical superiority.  Russell volleyed home the third then set up substitute Gary Mackay-Steven for the fourth eight minutes from time.

Aberdeen 1 Rangers 2
Rangers continued their domination of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a hard-fought victory over ten-man Aberdeen at Pittrodrie.  The key moment of the first-half was the injury sustained by Rangers' Steven Naismith after his own tackle on Rob Milsom.  The Ibrox man appeared to recover but crumpled to the ground a couple of minutes later and was replaced by Kyle Lafferty.  The Northern Irishman fired his side ahead when Maurice Edu pounced on Ricky Foster's slip and set up Steven Davis, who coolly slipped the ball to Lafferty who drove into the far corner.  Rangers extended their lead when Sasa Papac was brought down by Darren Mackie and Nikica Jelavic drove home the penalty.  The home side pulled one back when Foster's drive eluded the grasp of Allan McGregor - the first goal Rangers have conceded away from home this season - but hopes of a dramatic home fightback were ended when Rory Fallon was red-carded for an elbow on Doran Goian.

Celtic 0 Hibernian 0
Celtic's fans were left frustrated as they were held to a draw by Hibs and slipped further behind leaders Rangers.  Celtic's Gary Hooper squandered the best chance of the first half when he drove against the outside of the post.  James Forrest also sent a drive against the crossbar, but Hibs were always a threat on the break.  Unlike the League Cup game at Easter Road in midweek, there was to be no second-half improvement for Celtic and they fell three points behind Motherwell and twelve behind Rangers - although Neil Lennon's side do have a game in hand.

Hearts 0 Kilmarnock 1
Hearts ran into more disciplinary problems with both midfielder Ian Black and manager Paulo Sergio ordered off in the defeat.  Black was sent packing by ref Alan Muir after just 16 minutes for a late tackle on Dean Shiels.  However the home side continued to dominate and had a penalty claim waved away when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Alex Pursehouse in the penalty box.  Killie went ahead against the run of play when Paul Heffernan was bundled over by Marius Zaliukas and the referee pointed to the spot.  Both Rudi Skacel and Zaliukas were booked before Shiels coolly stroked home the spot-kick.  Sergio was dismissed after an angry exchange as Hearts were unable to draw level.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 Motherwell 3
Last-gasp Motherwell moved three points clear of Celtic in second spot thanks to Tom Hateley's winner.  On-loan Wolves midfielder David Davis fired Caley Thistle ahead after three minutes and visiting 'keeper Darren Randolph made a great save from Greg Tansey's drive before Shaun Hutchinson headed 'Well level from Hateley's cross.  Inverness C.T. looked to have won it when Andrew Shinnie drove in with fifteen minutes left only for Keith Lasley to make it 2-2 with a spectacular 20-yarder.  Chris Hogg - making his first Caley appearance in two months – was then sent off for a last-man tackle on Jamie Murphy and Hateley drove in the free-kick to win it for the Steelmen.  The win made it eight wins on their last eleven visits to Inverness for Motherwell, while Terry Butcher's side remain bottom of the table.

St Johnstone 0 St Mirren 1
Kenny McLean scored his first St Mirren goal to give his side a late McDiarmid Park win.  Both goalkeepers were the key men, with the Perth side's Peter Enckelman twice denying youngster McLean and Craig Samson frustrated home striker Cillian Sheridan with key blocks.  The game seemed to be heading towards a goalless stalemate when Steven Thompson headed on for McLean to fire home with nine minutes left.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 31 October 2011