Celtic moves four points clear at top

Celtic extended their winning run in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League to 12 games with a 2-0 victory over St Mirren and moved four points clear of chasing Rangers at the top of the table.

Rangers had pressure put on them by Celtic's win and their title hopes took another blow when they were forced to fight back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen.

Goals from James Forrest and Scott Brown were enough for Celtic to claim victory in the SPL's first game of the day.

In a game which was spoiled by the wind, Celtic's best effort in the first-half was Gary Hooper's long-distance strike which St Mirren goalkeeper Craig Samson saved.

Celtic keeper Fraser Forster was forced to make a string of saves, the best being from former Parkhead midfielder Paul McGowan.

But in the 71st minute Forrest took a pass from Scott Brown and beat Samson from the edge of the box before the Hoops skipper grabbed number two with three minutes remaining with a great curling shot from outside the box.

At Ibrox, Kari Arnason opened the scoring for Aberdeen in the second half before Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu levelled four minutes later.

The result was not enough for the Dons to end a wait of more than two decades for a win at Ibrox but they would have headed back to Pittodrie the happier of the two sides with the outcome.

Shane Sutherland's header secured Inverness a 1-0 win at home to Hearts.

The forward pounced from close range in the 49th minute to help the Highlanders close the gap on the top six.

Jamie Hamill came closest for Hearts when he hit the crossbar in the opening stages and the visitors will be frustrated they did not have a late penalty.

Michael Higdon's late equaliser gave Motherwell a deserved 1-1 draw with Dundee United.

Trailing to a first-half own goal from captain Stephen Craigan, Stuart McCall's side battled back at Tannadice and missed a string of chances before Higdon struck in the 85th minute.

It stops a run of three successive defeats for the Fir Park side, while Dundee United are still searching for their first victory of 2012.

A stunning late winner from Francisco Sandaza secured a 3-2 win for St Johnstone over Hibernian after a breathless encounter at Easter Road.

Lee Croft opened the scoring in the first half with a fine low finish, but that lead was cancelled in the second period through a Leigh Griffiths penalty.

Parity lasted mere seconds, with wasteful defending allowing Liam Craig to restore the Perth side's lead.

Hibs, displaying admirable character, made it 2-2 through Callum Booth's neat finish, but the excellent Sandaza found space to fire home a superb late winner.

Dunfermline recorded their first win in almost three months as they hammered Kilmarnock 3-0 at Rugby Park.

Andrew Barrowman opened the scoring with five minutes remaining in the first half and Joe Cardle doubled the visitors' lead on the hour mark.

With three minutes remaining Liam Buchanan added a third to ensure Dunfermline's first ever SPL victory at Rugby Park.