Newz Forum: SOCCER: Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier results 15/01/05

Rangers moved back to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League on goal difference thanks to a straightforward 3-0 dismissal of Dunfermline.

Stevie Thompson and Marvin Andrews put the home side two-up at the break, with Alex Rae heading his first Rangers goal to wrap up the win. Goalkeeper Stefan Klos denied Noel Hunt a late consolation by blocking his low drive. Celtic have the chance to reclaim top spot when they face Aberdeen on Sunday.


Hibernian strike pair Garry O'Connor and Derek Riordan secured three deserved points with a goal each for Tony Mowbray's side as they beat Livingston 2-0. O'Connor marked his new deal with the Easter Road club with his eighth league goal of the season eight minutes into the second half. Then Riordan celebrated being named Bank of Scotland Young Player of the Month for December with a close-range finish in the 74th minute. The three points consolidated Hibs' third position in the SPL table.


A Kris Boyd double allowed Kilmarnock to inflict defeat on Motherwell for the second time in the space of seven days. The striker pounced in the first and last minutes of the first half to put Kilmarnock in the driving seat, as Motherwell squandered too many opportunities in front of goal. The 2-0 success followed last week's triumph in the Tennent's Scottish Cup.


Paul Hartley earned Hearts their first win since December 4 with a well-driven free-kick four minutes from time to give them a 3-2 victory over Dundee United at Tynecastle. A Barry Robson free-kick after 19 minutes gave United the lead up until a minute before the break when Tannadice goalkeeper Tony Bullock flapped at a Phil Stamp corner to give Steven Pressley the easiest of chances to equalise from close range. Debutant Lee Miller bundled over the line four minutes after the break. But, four minutes later, Tannadice defender Alan Archibald thundered a glorious 25-yard free-kick past Craig Gordon. However, with only three minutes to go, Hartley was aided by a wicked deflection as he drove past Bullock for the Jambos' first win in six games.


New signing Tom McManus helped himself to a goal on his debut as Dundee beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-1 and dragged the Highland club back into the mix at the bottom of the SPL. The former Hibs striker pounced three minutes after the break, with his side already a goal up through Steven Robb, to stun Craig Brewster's men. John Sutton added the decisive third from the penalty spot after Stuart McCaffrey handled inside the box. It was McManus's day as he harried and fought with the static Caley defence, bringing an added cutting edge to their play which has been sorely lacking since the departure of Nacho Novo to Rangers in the summer. Brewster scored his first goal for the club, but it proved no more than a final minute consolation.

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