Dunfermline moved two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League tonight with a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone. Barry Nicholson gave the Pars a first-half lead and David Nicholls grabbed a second 10 minutes into the second half to clinch the points. Rangers, however, were forced to settle for a share of the points against Scottish Premier League newcomers Livingston just days before facing Turkish champions Fenerbahce in a Champions League qualifier. Injury and suspension meant changes to the Ibrox side's starting line-up and they failed to break down the Livvy defence, despite forcing goalkeeper Javier Sanchez Broto into a number of impressive saves.
Aberdeen boss Ebbe Skovdahl bemoaned his side's lack of firepower as Heartsfinally kick-started their Scottish Premier League campaign with a hard-fought1-0 victory at Tynecastle. A thunderous first-half volley from Scotland international Colin Cameron was enough to secure the points and allowed Hearts to escape the memory of last week's surprise defeat at Livingston. Motherwell and Dundee United served out a goalless draw and a 16-man brawl in the dying moments of the first half highlighted a listless Scottish SPL match at Fir Park today which was high on endeavour but lacking quality. United manager Alex Smith had warned his players to expect a Motherwell backlash after they were humbled 5-2 by Dunfermline last week - although he may not have had all-out war in mind.
Dundee claimed their first victory of the season, beating Hibs 2-1 in an exciting and entertaining game at Dens Park. Juan Sara's first-half opener after nine minutes was cancelled out in 59 minutes when John O'Neil capitalised on some indecision in the Dundee defence to rifle home an equaliser. However, only three minutes later the impressive Fabian Caballero restored the home side's lead with a fine individual goal. Tempers boiled over at Fir Park today with a first-half brawl as Motherwell and Dundee United battled out a goalless draw. Motherwell had dominated the opening period with Kevin Twaddle coming closest to opening the scoring with a rasping drive. But United controlled the second-half and James Paterson saw his powerful header ricochet off the crossbar to safety.
