Kyle Lafferty fired the Gers ahead on 58 minutes and Nikica Jelavic made it 2-0 with a 69th-minute penalty.

Richard Foster pulled a goal back for the Dons after an Allan McGregor blunder before Aberdeen were reduced to 10 men by the sending off of Rory Fallon for elbowing Dorin Goian.

Rangers' win, which gives them a nine-point lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, was marred by the loss of Steven Naismith who left the field on a stretcher after suffering a knee injury.

Motherwell held on to second place courtesy of Tom Hateley's deflected free-kick four minutes from the end which gave them a 3-2 victory over bottom side Inverness.

Caley took a third-minute lead through David Davis but Shaun Hamilton equalised before the break.

Andrew Shinnie fired Caley ahead again 14 minutes from time but Keith Lasley levelled within a minute and Caley had Chris Hogg sent off just before Hateley's winner.

Celtic dropped 12 points behind Rangers after a goalless draw against Hibernian at Parkhead.

Gary Hooper and James Forrest hit the woodwork as the Hoops endured a frustrating afternoon en route to a result that deals another blow to their title hopes.

Dean Shiels' 55th-minute penalty, for a Marius Zaliukas foul on Paul Heffernan, gave Kilmarnock a 1-0 win at Tynecastle against Hearts who had Ian Black sent off after 16 minutes and manager Paulo Sergio sent to the stands.

Dundee United were 4-1 winners at Dunfermline. Paul Dixon and Lauri Dalla Valle fired them 2-0 up before the Pars had Gary Mason sent off in the 26th minute.

Andy Kirk scored early in the second half to give the home side hope but late goals from Johnny Russell and Gary Mackay-Steven wrapped up victory for United.

Kenny McLean's first goal for St Mirren was enough to give them victory at St Johnstone.