Rangers 0 St Johnstone 0
Steve Lomas celebrated his first game in charge of St Johnstone with a well-deserved point at Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers.  There were few first-half opportunities but Saints twice came close early in the second-half.  First Murray Davidson flashed a shot wide then Allan McGregor did well to palm the midfielder's header over.  Fran Sandaza also saw an effort saved by the home 'keeper as Rangers struggled to impose themselves on the game.  Nikica Jelavic's header which was blocked by Peter Enckleman was as close as the home side came.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Celtic 2
Neil Lennon's side closed the gap at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League thanks to two second-half goals against ten-man Caley Thistle.  The Highlanders kept Celtic at bay in the first-half but the game was turned by a straight red card for Inverness C.T. midfielder Greg Tansey, seven minutes before the interval, for leading with his arm in a challenge on Giorgios Samaras.  TV cameras suggested referee Stevie O'Reilly's decision was a harsh one - but Celtic took advantage of their extra man after the break.  Gary Hooper and James Forrest exchanged sharp passes on the edge of the home penalty box before Hooper picked out Anthony Stokes for a simple finish.  Ten minutes later, Forrest's shot was blocked and fell to the Irish striker, who crashed a volley past Ryan Esson from a narrow angle to seal victory.

Aberdeen 1 Motherwell 2
Motherwell continued their recent impressive record against the Dons with a hard-fought Pittodrie win.  Michael Higdon headed the visitors ahead from Tom Hateley's cross after six minutes but the Dons were level when Rob Milsom swung the ball in and the unmarked Scott Vernon headed past Darren Randolph.  Omar Daley, making his first start for Motherwell, ran on to Jamie Murphy's pass and checked back before shooting into the bottom corner to restore Motherwell's lead.  Aberdeen pushed forward and Mohamed Chalali and Youl Mawene both came close but the visitors held on for victory - Aberdeen haven't won any of the last nine meetings of the sides.

Dundee United 1 Hearts 0
Scott Robertson's diving header earned his side the points against a struggling Hearts.  United have now won seven of the last eight Tannadice meetings with the Tynecastle outfit - and although they'd to soak up second-half pressure they were worthy of the three points.  Robertson, making his 100th United appearance, won a midfield tackle then sent skipper Jon Daly clear down the right - and when his cross came in Robertson bulleted a header past Marian Kello.  Hearts piled forward after the break but a home defence well marshalled by Gavin Gunning restricted them to long-range efforts at goal.

Hibernian 1 Kilmarnock 1
Hibs rescued a point under caretaker boss Billy Brown.  Home 'keeper Graham Stack could only push away a half-volley from Danny Buijs and Manuel Pascali tapped in the follow-up to put Killie in front.  That saw the home side booed off at the break but substitute Leigh Griffiths levelled soon after the re-start.  Goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola palmed away Ivan Sproule's cross and Griffiths fired in off the post from an acute angle.  The home side almost won it when Griffiths shot wide before Garry O'Connor shot tamely from 30 yards.

St Mirren 2 Dunfermline Athletic 1
St Mirren vaulted Hearts into fifth spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after victory over Dunfermline at New St Mirren Park.  The home team got the breakthrough their early superiority deserved when Nigel Hasselbaink's weaving run ended with a neat cut-back to Kenny McLean, who scored from close range.  On the stroke of half-time the home side doubled their lead when Steven Thompson robbed Austin McCann and from his delivery Hasselbaink drove high into the net.  Dunfermline pulled one back when substitute Joe Cardle's free-kick squirmed past Craig Samson - but the home 'keeper saved well from Cardle late on to ensure the victory. 

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 21 November 2011