Nacho Novo opened the scoring before Kris Boyd helped himself to a hat-trick - making it six goals in seven days - and Kenny Miller completed the rout in what proved to be a breathless opening 45 minutes.

Despite Rangers failing to add to their tally after the break, It proved to be the perfect match for Ferguson - who started the game on the bench - to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from ankle surgery in the summer.

A Chris Porter double handed Motherwell a deserved 2-0 derby victory Hamilton but the visitors were raging over the striker's second goal.

Porter appeared to be well offside as he helped David Clarkson's shot into the net in the 66th minute but the flag never came.

The English striker headed the opening goal of the clash from Bob Malcolm's dangerous free-kick in the latter stages of the first half.

Sone Aluko was the hero for Aberdeen as they finally ended their Pittodrie hoodoo by recording their first home win of the season at the sixth attempt - a 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock.

Winger Aluko was the most threatening player in a nervy encounter and the midfielder got his first goal since returning to Pittodrie when he shot past Alan Combe from a tight angle early into the second half.

Kilmarnock piled on the pressure late on but the Dons hung on for all three points.

Falkirk ended Dundee United's six-game winning run - but were unable to conjure a victory against the 10-man visitors.

Craig Levein's side will have been happier to leave the Falkirk Stadium with a point after they secured a 0-0 draw despite the sending-off of forward Roy O'Donovan on 57 minutes.

The Irishman received his marching orders for violent conduct after a challenge on Gerard Aafjes at the corner flag.

In a match lacking clear-cut chances, the Bairns had the better of the openings but they were unable to capitalise on their extra advantage against their fellow Co-Operative Insurance Cup semi-finalists.

St Mirren and Hibernian produced an afternoon of mediocrity and a 0-0 draw in their clash at Love Street.

Saints will move to their new stadium in January but few of the 4,588 fans who turned up on a cold Paisley day will take their memories of this match with them.

The highlight of the game came four minutes from the break when Hibs keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay made a decent diving save from Franco Miranda's 25-yard drive.