Rangers took another inexorable step towards the Scottish Premiership title with a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox.
The only goal was scored by midfielder Ryan Jack, who fired in a terrific volley from 25 yards in the 38th minute of a lacklustre first half.
The Light Blues created more chances after the break but could not stretch their lead.
Nevertheless, after dropping two points at Hamilton last week, Steven Gerrard's side got back to winning ways to move 21 points ahead of Celtic, who play St Johnstone on Sunday.
Rangers have nine games left to play in the season while Celtic have 11.
Dundee United made it back-to-back wins as they beat Livingston 3-0 at Tannadice, where both sides finished with 10 men.
United made a dream start, netting in the first minute through Adrian Sporle, but just after the half-hour mark Peter Pawlett received a straight red card.
Despite that, the Tangerines extended their lead through Lawrence Shankland with Livi’s Jack Fitzwater then receiving his marching orders in the 62nd minute.
Shankland scored his second late on to wrap up all three points, with the result sending Micky Mellon’s side back into the top six.
Bruce Anderson scored his first goal for Hamilton to set Brian Rice’s men on their way to a 4-1 victory over 10-man Motherwell at Fir Park.
The recent loan signing from Aberdeen netted before Stephen O’Donnell’s 18th-minute red card, which led to Ross Callachan bagging his eighth goal of the season with a penalty.
Marios Ogkmpoe had the visitors three up inside 31 minutes and substitute David Moyo made it four before Mark O’Hara scored a consolation from the spot with Motherwell’s only shot on target.
It was a third Lanarkshire derby win of the season for Accies, who have not lost in the last five meetings between the teams.
The three points were enough to lift Rice’s men off the bottom of the table, while it was the first major setback for new Fir Park boss Graham Alexander, who took charge days after Motherwell lost 3-0 at Hamilton last month.
Under-pressure Aberdeen and St Mirren played out a goalless draw at a weather-affected Pittodrie, with neither side able to overcome the testing conditions.
Aberdeen are now without a win in five games.
Ross County’s home game against Hibernian was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
