The hosts delighted the crowd at Fir Park when they took the lead in the first minute after an own goal from United midfielder Scott Severin, but David Goodwillie put the visitors back on level terms five minutes after half time.

But another own goal, this time from defender Sean Dillon after 75 minutes, proved costly for United and Motherwell moved to 16 points from their nine matches - two clear of Hearts who enjoyed a 3-0 home win over bottom side St Mirren.

Czech international midfielder Rudi Skacel was the hero for the Tynecastle side, scoring twice in the first half before completing his hat-trick on 90 minutes as things continue to go from bad to worse for St Mirren, who have won only once so far this campaign.

Aberdeen leap-frogged Hibernian to move into ninth place with a 4-2 win over the Edinburgh side at Pittodrie.

A brace from Scott Vernon and strikes from Christopher Maguire and Paul Hartley helped Aberdeen to a 4-0 lead after an hour before Colin John Nish and Souleymane Bamba salvaged some respectability for Hibs in a disappointing start for their new boss Colin Calderwood.

St Johnstone moved into sixth place with a 2-1 away win over Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

Sam Parkin gave St Johnstone the lead after 19 minutes, before Simon Mensing equalised for the home side on 68 minutes.

But with four minutes remaining, defender Daniel Grainger put a late winner past Hamilton's Czech goalkeeper Tomas Cerny to ensure all three points for St Johnstone.

And Inverness continued their solid start to the season, scoring a 2-1 away win over Kilmarnock.

Adam Rooney gave the visitors the lead just before half-time before Jonathan Hayes doubled their lead on 66 minutes.

Kilmarnock's Portuguese striker Marinho Rui Miguel pulled a goal back with 16 minutes left to cause Inverness some anxious moments in the dying stages, but they held on for the win to remain in fifth position on 14 points.

League leaders Rangers and Celtic clash in the season's first Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on Sunday.