Dundee 0 St Mirren 2
St Mirren moved to the top of the table after being the weekend’s only winners in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. It was the home side’s first top-division game in seven years but it was to be a frustrating one and they fell behind when Kenny McLean’s 35-yard drive beat Rab Douglas. Ryan Conroy came close to equalising with a drive which rebounded off the post and Dundee were unhappy when they had penalty claims turned down – and St Mirren went to the other end and sealed victory. Mark Stewart insisted he was impeded by McLean but no award was given and Saints raced away and Sam Parkin scored from Dougie Imrie’s cross.
Aberdeen 0 Ross County 0
County’s second goalless draw saw them earn another Clydesdale Bank Premier League point at Pittodrie. In the first-ever game between the sides, County stretched their unbeaten league run to 36 games – but they should have been punished by the home side. Gavin Rae headed Gary Naysmith’s cross wide and Scott Vernon side-footed a great chance into Michael Fraser’s arms as Aberdeen dominated but couldn’t find a way through.
Inverness CT 1 Kilmarnock 1
It was a point apiece for the second successive Saturday for both sides. Andrew Shinnie gave the home side an early lead from Ross Draper’s flick on and Caley ‘keeper Ryan Esson saved Danny Racchi’s penalty after Draper had fouled Liam Kelly. However Manny Pascali levelled just before the break from Michael Nelson’s cross. The home side’s Owen Tudor-Jones was shown a straight red card after the break following a tangle with James Fowler but there were no more goals.
Motherwell 1 St Johnstone 1
Both sides finished with ten men and had to settle for a point apiece. Motherwell were reduced to ten men in the first-half when Stevie Hammell was red-carded for a foul on Chris Millar in the box – but Darren Randolph saved Dave Mackay’s mishit spot-kick. However Saints went ahead when Murray Davidson headed in Liam Craig’s corner – but Motherwell equalised when Bob McHugh’s shot from Nicky Law’s cross beat Alan Mannus. Saints also finished with ten men when Rowan Vine was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Shaun Hutchinson.
Hibs 1 Hearts 1 (Sunday)
Hibs came from behind to earn a point in a tough Edinburgh derby. Hearts were pre-game favourites and took the lead but left coach John McGlynn disappointed with their performance – although they at least maintained a record which sees Hibs without a win in the last twelve Capital derbies. Hearts went in front when Alan Maybury was short with a back header and Andy Driver nipped in ahead of Ben Williams. But Hibs had been a threat and Leigh Griffiths, who’d already seen a drive rebound from Jamie MacDonald’s post, equalised from David Wotherspoon’s cross just before the interval. Ryan McGowan, celebrating his Australia call-up for Wednesday’s international against Scotland, headed wide of goal and Griffiths was also off-target as both sides tried to grab a second-half winner.
By cbfootball.co.uk Last updated:
13 August 2012