Inverness CT 2 Dundee United 3
United came from two behind to snatch three points at Inverness.  The game was only 75 seconds old when Jonny Hayes converted David Davis' centre to give Caley the lead - and they increased it early in the second-half when Billy McKay headed Hayes' corner into the net.  But the introduction of sub Johnny Russell changed the game.  He fired home from Stuart Armstrong's cross to reduce the leeway then Caley's Roman Golobart turned the ball past Ryan Esson to make it 2-2.  Dundee United won it when Gary Mackay-Steven played in Russell on the edge of the box and he finished well.  Caley's misery was complete when Davis was sent off for a foul on Mackay-Steven with eight minutes left.  Caley have won only one of the last nine meetings of the sides.

Aberdeen 2 St Mirren 2
Aberdeen couldn't celebrate Craig Brown's year in charge with a win - despite being two up in the opening 20 minutes.  First Kari Arnason's long throw was flicked on by Rory Fallon to Scott Vernon, who half-volleyed into the top corner.  Then the Dons doubled their advantage after 17 minutes when Fraser Fyvie picked out Fallon at the back post and the New Zealand forward headed home his first goal in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.  But St Mirren pulled one back when Kenny McLean ran on to Steven Thompson's header to fire home and they levelled when Graham Carey fired home a 30-yard free-kick shortly after the break.  Aberdeen finished with ten men when Fyvie was red-carded for dissent in stoppage time by ref Stephen Finnie.

Celtic 1 Hearts 0
Celtic closed the gap at the top of the table - but they needed a late penalty save to clinch victory.  Gary Hooper missed a good chance early on but Celtic didn't come close again until James Forrest's cross was headed against the bar by Anthony Stokes on the hour.  The home side finally made the breakthrough when Victor Wanyama blasted past Marian Kello after a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick was deflected out by Adrian Mrowiec.  Hearts could have levelled following a handball decision against Wanyama in the final minute but Eggert Jonsson's penalty was thwarted by a fine Fraser Forster save from the spot.

Dunfermline v Kilmarnock match postponed
The match between Dunfermline and Kilmarnock was postponed by referee Bobby Madden 90 minutes before kick-off as fog blanketed East End Park.

Hibernian 0 Rangers 2
Rangers maintained their position at the top of the table thanks to two second-half Nikica Jelavic goals.  The only real chance of a drab first-half was Leigh Griffiths' effort straight at Allan McGregor.  Rangers went ahead when sub Thomas Bendiksen sent Lee Wallace through and he hit the deck after having his arm grabbed by Michael Hart.  Jelavic slotted in the resulting penalty kick.  Rangers completed their win when Jelavic lost marker Hart and stooped to finish off an inswinging Gregg Wylde corner.

St Johnstone 0 Motherwell 3
Motherwell turned the tables on Saints to strengthen their grip on third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.  Saints beat 'Well by the same scoreline at Fir Park in September but two early goals put Stuart McCall's team in the driving seat at McDiarmid Park.  Nicky Law's low cross wasn't dealt with by Peter Enckleman and Omar Daley scored with ease.  Then Tom Hateley swept in a cross from the right and Jamie Murphy's header beat Enckelman.  Daley was involved again as Motherwell completed the scoring halfway through the second-half.  A short corner was played to the pacy forward 25 yards out and his shot deflected off Murphy into the net to seal a comprehensive win which opened up a seven-point gap between the sides.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 12 December 2011