An own-goal from Alex Keddie and a Nikica Jelavic penalty sealed the victory as the Scottish champions held on after Joe Cardle pulled a goal back for the Pars.

The win took Rangers seven points clear of Celtic, who face Dundee United tomorrow.

St Johnstone extended their formidable away record in the SPL with a 2-1 victory over troubled Hearts.

Liam Craig netted after three minutes and Dave MacKay converted a 78th-minute penalty for fourth-placed Saints, who have lost just once away from Perth all season.

Mehdi Taouil's 86th-minute strike was nothing more than a consolation for Hearts, who had earlier seen Jamie Hamill's spot-kick saved by Peter Enckelman.

Jonny Hayes lifted Inverness off the bottom of the table with a brilliant long-range strike to seal a 2-1 win at St Mirren.

Inverness had dominated the first half after Hayes set up Andrew Shinnie for an 11th minute opener, but St Mirren striker Steven Thompson headed home an equaliser in first-half injury-time.

Aberdeen now prop up the standings after goals from Gary Harkins and James Dayton gave Kilmarnock a 2-0 victory over the Dons.