Rangers boosted their hopes of clinching second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a 2-1 win at Aberdeen in the big match of the day north of the border.

First-half goals from Nacho Novo and Libor Sionko secured a crucial victory for the Ibrox side in front of a sell-out crowd at Pittodrie, despite a late strike from Steve Lovell.

The victory allowed Gers to move a point ahead of Aberdeen.

However they remain 16 points behind arch rivals Celtic after the Bhoys carved out a 1-0 home win over Falkirk in a match which had an eventful finale.

Thomas Gravesen's opener after 24 minutes gave the champions the half-time advantage but in the dying moments of four minutes of injury time, Neil Lennon was sent off after raising his hands to Falkirk defender Kenny Milne who had conceded a penalty for a foul on the Hoops' skipper.

Parkhead substitute Kenny Miller hit the post with the spot-kick for a dramatic end to the match.

Meanwhile Motherwell became the first team outside of the Old Firm to defeat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park since the opening day of last season as their nine men held on for a 2-1 success.

Richie Foran fired the visitors ahead in the 15th minute from close range following good work from Scott McDonald, who then teed up Jim Paterson five minutes later for the left-back's shot to be deflected past Graeme Smith in Kilmarnock's goal.

Steven Naismith gave Killie hope with a stunning 39th-minute strike from 25 yards.

And, although Jim Paterson was sent off in the 56th minute, the Steelmen held on for a vital victory in their fight against relegation.

But Garry Hay and David Clarkson were sent off with seconds remaining as the game ended in chaos.

A second-half penalty from Paul Hartley, following a handball by Dundee United defender Stuart Duff, gave troubled Hearts a much-needed 1-0 victory at Tannadice.

It was the Jambos' first away away win in three months and pushed them above Kilmarnock and into fourth place.

Hearts dropped a bombshell ahead of kick-off with club captain Craig Gordon relegated to the bench, apparently due to illness, with Steve Banks starting in goal.

The Englishman was a major factor behind the Tynecastle club earning all three points with two marvellous saves from Barry Robson free-kicks, while Christophe Berra cleared a late Barry Robson header off the line.

Elsewhere Hibernian also went above Killie after destroying St Mirren 5-1 with a superb display of flowing football as they proved they could cope without missing midfield pair Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson.

Guillaume Beuzelin and Chris Killen finished off slick moves before John Sutton pulled a goal back just before half-time at Easter Road.

But Hibs came out in determined fashion after the break and goals from Dean Shiels, Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun were just reward for their attacking play.

In the sixth and final match of the day, ten-man Dunfermline failed to ease their woes at the foot of the table as they were held at home to a goalless draw by Inverness.

New boss Stephen Kenny's side struggled to worry the Highlanders' backline for most of the game.

Former Scotland striker Stevie Crawford was sent off for the hosts late on after two bookings.