Newz Forum: SOCCER: Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier results 28/01/06

Dundee United mounted a tremendous comeback to claim a 3-3 draw against Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders Celtic at Parkhead.

The Hoops had taken the lead through John Hartson and, although his opener was cancelled out by David Fernandez, goals from Maciej Zurawski and Stilian Petrov should have been enough to secure the win. But Lee Miller and Fernandez grabbed a goal apiece in the last eight minutes to snatch a point.

Hearts took full advantage as they closed the gap on Celtic at the top with a comprehensive 4-1 drubbing of Edinburgh rivals Hibernian at Tynecastle. A double by Paul Hartley either side of a Rudi Skacel goal gave the home side a three-goal half-time lead over the rattled visitors, who were reduced to ten men when defender Gary Smith was sent off just before the break after a clash with Saulius Mikoliunas. Five minutes after the interval the Jambos' teenage striker Calum Elliot made it 4-0 before Garry O'Connor put some respectability on the scoreline for Hibs with an impressive 57th-minute drive.

Former Aberdeen star David Lilley returned to haunt his former club with an equaliser five minutes from time as Kilmarnock grabbed a 2-2 draw at Pittodrie. Barry Nicholson had given the home side the lead in the ninth minute with a drive from the edge of the box, before Steven Naismith scored a 30th-minute penalty after Richie Byrne fouled Gary Wales. Seventeen minutes from time, Russell Anderson scored from Jamie Smith's in-swinging corner but with time running out Lilley sent a downward header past Jamie Langfield to claim a share of the spoils for the visitors.

It also ended level at East End Park where Motherwell came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Dunfermline. Darren Young gave the Pars an early lead and the SPL strugglers managed to hold on until half-time despite being put under unrelenting pressure. But Jim Hamilton equalised shortly after the restart for Motherwell before Scott McDonald saw a superb effort strike the bar.

However, it's a point that Dunfermline may well be content with as it moved them two points clear of Livingston at the basement following Livi's 1-0 defeat by Falkirk at Almondvale. After a scrappy opening the Bairns took control midway through the first half and Stephen O'Donnell drove them ahead in the 35th minute. The home side rallied briefly but Falkirk were in control even before Paul Dalglish was sent off with five minutes left in a game which also saw nine bookings.

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