Captain Scott Brown gave the home side a fifth-minute lead, which Glenn Loovens added to just after the break.

Former Celtic striker Derek Riordan pulled a goal back in the 54th minute to set up a nervy end to the game but the home side held on to their lead to leapfrog their Old Firm rivals who play at Aberdeen tomorrow.

Motherwell maintained their perfect SPL away record this season to move to third place after new father Chris Humphrey set up both goals in an impressive 2-0 victory at Tynecastle.

The winger, whose partner gave birth to a girl on Thursday, brilliantly created second-half goals for Nick Blackman and John Sutton.

Hearts never troubled Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph and the visitors comfortably secured their fifth away clean sheet and win of the season.

Dundee United beat St Johnstone 1-0 in a fiery Tayside derby.

David Goodwillie scored the only goal of the game when he reacted quickest to turn a loose ball home after Paul Dixon's corner in the 61st minute.

The result was harsh on the visitors who over the course of the match created the better opportunities but could find no way past goalkeeper Dusan Pernis.

Conor Sammon grabbed a late leveller as Kilmarnock staged a dramatic comeback to earn a 2-2 draw away to Hamilton.

Accies appeared to be cruising thanks to first-half goals from Flavio Paixao and Nigel Hasselbaink, who netted his first goal for the club.

But Jamie Hamill pulled a goal back from the penalty spot seven minutes from time, before Sammon produced the equaliser in the 89th minute.

Eric Odhiambo scored in each half to give Inverness a 2-1 victory at St Mirren.

The striker struck his opener in first-half stoppage-time, sliding low into the net from close range following a Stuart Duff free-kick, and doubled his tally five minutes after the break by lashing home from a cross by Jonny Hayes.

Paul McGowan scored an impressive consolation goal for the hosts, but they were unable to equalise as the Highlanders extended their season record of collecting all their SPL points on the road.