Aberdeen closed the gap on second-placed Rangers in the Bank of Scotland Premier League to only four points as Steve Lovell's superb goal secured a 1-0 win against Hearts.
The breakthrough came in the seventh minute when Lovell latched on to Barry Nicholson's through-ball to fire a terrific half-volley past Craig Gordon.
Fourth-placed Hearts offered little in attack throughout and had Laryea Kingston sent off in the 63rd minute after receiving two second-half cautions. They now fall three points behind Aberdeen.
Kilmarnock came back from the loss of an early goal to overcome battling Inverness at Rugby Park, and move closer to securing a top-six finish.
Markus Paatelainen's header in the 10th minute put the visitors ahead, but a double from Paul Di Giacomo and an overhead kick from Steven Naismith gave the home side the interval lead. Two minutes after the restart Inverness defender Darren Dods reduced the deficit with a header to ensure a fraught second half for the home side but Kilmarnock held on for a crucial three points.
Only Motherwell can now deny them a place in the top six when the league splits, but they already trail Kilmarnock by 10 points and have only 12 left to play for.
A second-half flashpoint saw Motherwell denied a late winner against Dundee United after officials initially appeared to let the goal stand.
Scott McDonald's strike was chalked off after what looked to be a change of heart from referee Dougie McDonald - who later reduced the visitors to 10 men by dismissing Paul Quinn. Steven Robb put United ahead and Danny Murphy equalised, and the 1-1 draw means Motherwell remain above their hosts on goal difference in ninth spot in the table.
Hibernian claimed a timely lift ahead of next Sunday's CIS Insurance Cup final after inflicting an eighth straight defeat on 10-man Falkirk at a blustery Easter Road.
A second-half double from Abdessalam Benjelloun - taking his tally for the season to 12 - allowed John Collins' side to approach the final with Kilmarnock in good heart after a first win over the Bairns this season. Hibernian's cause was helped by the 42nd-minute straight red card for Falkirk left-back Dean Holden.
Dunfermline were left staring relegation in the face after failing to take any of their chances in a scoreless draw with second bottom St Mirren.
Despite creating several openings in front of goal at East End Park and having most of the possession, the Pars could not manage to cut their nine-point gap to the Paisley side.
St Mirren goalkeeper Chris Smith did brilliantly to deny Jim Hamilton and Stevie Crawford in the same move in the second half and Stephen Glass also went agonisingly close for Dunfermline with a free-kick.
