SPL Round-up: Time to Forget for Rangers as Celtic Widen Gap

Here is a round-up of all the action from Matchday 16 in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League:

Aberdeen 2-0 Motherwell

It was a comfortable afternoon for the Dons, as an easy 2-0 win at Pittodrie means they are still well in the hunt for a UEFA Cup spot.

After coming on as a substitute on the hour mark, it took Gary McDonald just one minute to put the home side ahead, when he scored on 61 minutes.

Things then went from bad to worse for Motherwell, as Lee Miller converted from the penalty spot four minutes later, after Paul Quinn was dismissed for the visitors for a professional foul inside the box on Darren Mackie.

Motherwell's dismal form continues, as they've now lost four out of their last five games and slip down to 10th, while the win for Aberdeen means they now climb up to 5th in the SPL table.

Celtic 1-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Celtic tightened their grip on 1st place in the SPL with a hard-fought 1-0 win over a tough Inverness side at Celtic Park.

The only goal of the game came on 29 minutes, as Scotland international winger Shaun Maloney beat the offside trap and put the ball past the exposed Ryan Esson and into the Inverness goal.

Falkirk 1-1 Hibernian

A much needed win was snatched away from Falkirk, as a late comeback from Hibernian meant it was all square at the Falkirk Stadium.

Darren Barr's 69th minute header appeared to have settled the contest in favour of the struggling Falkirk, but they were pegged back with only eight minutes left on the clock.

Colin Nish was the man to dash their dreams as he was able to nod home Alan O'Brien's corner, leaving both sides in the mid-table scramble in the SPL.

Hamilton 1-0 Kilmarnock

Hamilton secured a first win in 11 games as they climbed off the foot of the SPL table.

The Accies have endured a tough campaign among Scotland's elite so far, but will be delighted to have returned to winning ways at such a crucial stage in the season.

Richard Offiong's 52nd minute strike was enough to hand Hamilton all three points at New Douglas Park, and help to ease the pressure on boss Billy Reid.

Hearts 2-1 Rangers

With seven games without defeat in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, no-one would really expect that run to end as Hearts entertained Glasgow Rangers at Tynecastle.

But empty-handed it was for Rangers, as the win for Hearts mean they stay in 3rd in the SPL, although they are still seven points off second placed Rangers.

All the action came during a frantic six-minute spell midway through the first half, with the hosts scoring all three goals.

Marius Zaliukas fired them in front on 20 minutes, before Laryea Kingston doubled their advantage three minutes later.

Hearts then proceeded to hand Rangers a route back into the contest on 26 minutes when Christos Karipidis put through his own net.

The hosts also saw Lee Wallace dismissed for a second bookable offence 14 minutes from time, but Walter Smith's side were unable to force a further breakthrough and are now in danger of being cast adrift of league leaders Celtic.

St Mirren 0-2 Dundee United

St Mirren slipped to the foot of the SPL table, as a 2-0 win for Dundee United means the Saints have now lost their fifth game in a row.

Gus MacPherson's side fell behind on 37 minutes when Jon Daly met Willo Flood's pinpoint cross to nod a powerful header past keeper Mark Howard.

Daly then grabbed his second of the game from the penalty spot, as time was running out to put the result beyond doubt, but the Saints had long since accepted their fate.