SPL round-up

Gers close in on Celtic, while Motherwell look set for third

By James Dall   Last updated: 10th May 2008

Rangers celebration Jean Claude Darcheville

Gers: Made up further ground

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Rangers turned up the heat on leaders Celtic, while Motherwell tightened their grip on third place.

Walter Smith's Gers played out an action-packed fixture at Ibrox to run out 3-1 victors over Dundee United in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

A late goal from Chris Porter ensures Motherwell are firmly in charge of securing a European berth as Mark McGhee's men ended Aberdeen's hopes of overtaking them in third.

Elsewhere, Kilmarnock shocked Hearts, Falkirk downed Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Mirren and Gretna played out a goalless draw.

Falkirk 2 Inverness CT 1

Falkirk made it back-to-back league wins to climb to seventh in the table as they triumphed 2-1 over Inverness. Michael Higdon was on target in the 28th minute, slotting home from close range, before Carl Finnigan doubled the home side's lead. Barry Wilson struck a consolation for Inverness in second-half injury-time, dispatching from the penalty spot.

Hearts 0 Kilmarnock 2

Kilmarnock grabbed two late goals to secure a surprise triumph against Kilmarnock at Tynecastle. Grant Murray broke the deadlock on 74 minutes, before Paul Di Giacomo wrapped up the visitors' first win in six attempts.

Motherwell 2 Aberdeen 1

Motherwell put right their recent slump in form to claim a late win over Aberdeen at Fir Park. Darren Smith broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, stabbing past keeper Jamie Langfield from six yards. But Sone Aluko levelled just six minutes later with an excellent volley to set up a tense finale. And with nine minutes remaining, Chris Porter fired a dramatic winner to further cement Motherwell's position in third.

Rangers 3 Dundee Utd 1

Rangers remain on course for a memorable quadruple after they downed Dundee United in a controversial game at Ibrox. Nacho Novo got the ball rolling for the home side, opening the scoring on seven minutes after he lost his marker to head home. Novo then doubled Gers' lead in the 18th minute with a terrific first-time strike which left United keeper Lukasz Zaluska with not a prayer. The visitors had strong appeals for a penalty turned down just after the interval when David Weir made contact with Noel Hunt in the area. Mark De Vries made for a nervous finale when he struck in the 76th minute, but luck was on Rangers' side. There was further controversy when Daniel Swanson's long-range strike was harshly ruled out for offside, before Jean Claude Darcheville rubbed salt in manager Craig Levein's wounds with a goal injury-time.

St Mirren 0 Gretna 0

Gretna stood firm to avoid adding any further misery to their woeful goal difference as they ground out a 0-0 stalemate at St Mirren. The home side were looking for their third consecutive triumph but were unable to find the back of the net against a side that has now gone 10 games without the taste of success.