Newz Forum: SOCCER: Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier results 19/02/05

Two-goal Garry O'Connor helped third-placed Hibernian return to winning ways with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Dundee in the Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier to move six points clear of Hearts.

Tony Mowbray's talented young squad had recently been knocked off course with a defeat at Rangers and a draw against Motherwell but O'Connor, one of Scotland's bright young striking hopes, put them ahead before the break before playing an important role in Steven Whittaker's goal shortly into the second half. Steven Fletcher and O'Connor hit the net as Dundee collapsed late on, to take Hibs' tally to 14 goals in the last four games against Jim Duffy's men.


Meanwhile Motherwell inflicted their fourth defeat of the season on lacklustre Hearts thanks to a 2-0 win at Fir Park. Both goals came in the first half, with Scott McDonald and Marc Fitzpatrick the scorers, and Well could even afford the luxury of a missed Jim Hamilton penalty in the 13th minute.


Kris Boyd struck two minutes before the interval to secure a 2-1 win for Kilmarnock against Dunfermline at Rugby Park. The Ayrshire side took the lead through Steven Naismith, who hit his second goal of the season in the 12th minute. But Jesper Christiansen was on hand seven minutes later to cancel out the lead. However, the win was gifted to Killie when Scott Thomson played a needless pass-back to goalkeeper Derek Stillie and Boyd grabbed the winner from 16 yards when Peter Leven played the subsequent indirect free-kick to him.


A 37th-minute Barry Wilson penalty earned Inverness Caledonian Thistle a 1-1 draw against Dundee United in the Bank of Scotland Premier clash at Tannadice. An own goal by Caley defender Grant Munro had given the home side the lead on the half-hour mark. But, after United skipper Billy Dodds had charged down a Darren Dods shot inside the penalty area, Wilson sent Tangerines' goalkeeper Tony Bullock the wrong way from the resultant spot-kick.


In the day's final game, goals from Kevin McNaughton and Noel Whelan were enough to give Aberdeen a well-deserved 2-0 victory over bottom club Livingston and turn up the pressure on beleaguered Lions boss Richard Gough. The Dons, who halted a mid-season slump with their first win in nine games, did not have to be at their best to sweep aside a dreadful Livingston side, who, on this showing at least, clearly lack the stomach for a relegation fight.

Results source: Sportinglife.com