Scottish Premiership: Liam Boyce penalty earns Ross County point against Hearts

Hearts failed to hang on to second spot in the Scottish Premiership table, after Ross County's Liam Boyce snatched a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Dingwall.

Second half goals from Bjorn Johnsen and Callum Paterson appeared to have earned the Edinburgh side three points, until Boyce stepped up to convert a late penalty.

But deep into injury time Hearts were awarded a penalty of their own, which Jamie Walker failed to convert. And with Rangers beating Aberdeen 2-1 at Ibrox, Hearts ended the day in third spot.

During a goalless opening half-an-hour at Victoria Park, Paterson twice went close for Hearts, while Tony Dingwall missed an early header for County.

However, it was the hosts who went ahead on the stroke of half-time with Jay McEveley lashing home, following a header from Andrew Davies, as the Jambos failed to deal with a ball into the box.

Michael Gardyne almost added a second just after the break, only to be denied by visiting keeper Jack Hamilton who made a great double save.

And County went close again when Hamilton was forced to make another good stop, this time a header from Boyce.

But just as it appeared the hosts might double their advantage, Hearts were level thanks to a scruffy goal from Johnsen on 66.

Shortly afterwards Hearts were ahead, taking advantage of some poor defending, with Paterson ramming the ball home from the six-yard box, following Walker's cross.

But County's spirit remained high. First, a Boyce header tested Hamilton who pushed it over the bar before they snatched a point from the spot.

With four minutes remaining, Boyce finally got on the scoresheet after his header struck Faycal Rherras on the arm, and the striker converted the resulting spot-kick into the bottom left-hand corner.

And to make matters worse for the high flyers, Hearts missed a penalty of their own after Davies felled Walker in the box.

Walker's 95th minute attempt to grab three points for the visitors was saved by keeper Scott Fox who dived low to his right to keep the shot out.

Meanwhile, at McDiarmid Park, bottom of the table Inverness were trounced 3-0 by St Johnstone.

The visitors also ended the match with 10 men, after Gary Warren collected two yellow cards. His second infringement on 61 mintues followed a reckless challenge on Danny Swanson, when the score was still 1-0.

Saints went ahead early in the first half after Stevie Maclean found Liam Craig who drilled home from the edge of the area.

Just one minute following Warren's dismissal, Murray Davidson added a second goal, as he lashed home a low free-kick.

And with nine minutes remaining, Swanson killed off Caley with another low strike following Brian Easton's assist.

Hamilton collected their ninth draw of the season, taking a point from their game with Partick Thistle which ended 1-1.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Alex D'Acol took advantage of an error by Liam Lindsay, before rounding keeper Tomas Cerny to open the scoring.

The equaliser arrived just after the hour mark as Sean Welsh found space in the box to locate the bottom right-hand corner.

Kilmarnock moved into the top half of the table with a 2-0 victory over Dundee at Rugby Park.

Rory McKenzie smacked Killie ahead on 22, after latching on to a rebound following Steven Smith's initial strike.

And Smith played his part in the second goal too, providing the assist for Souleymane Coulibaly to score with a rising shot from inside the box.

Dundee had earlier missed a great chance to equalise, as Marcus Haber failed with a free header.

At Ibrox, both sides finished the match with 10-men as Rangers beat Aberdeen 2-1.

Kenny Miller and Lee Hodson fired the hosts into a two-goal lead in the second half while Andrew Considine headed a late consolation.

But with 90 minutes on the clock, Clint Hill and Ryan Jack both collected their second yellow cards and were dismissed.

Earlier in the day, Celtic came from behind to beat Motherwell 4-3 at Fir Park.

The winning goal came via Tom Rogic in the 90th minute, after Louis Moult's brace had given the hosts a two-goal advantage before the break.