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Celtic frustrated by Aberdeen, Rangers lose

Anthony Stokes stroked Celtic ahead but they were pegged back by Aberdeen © PA Photos

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Aberdeen frustrated SPL leaders Celtic when battling back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw, while crisis-club Rangers were beaten 2-1 at home by Hearts.

Anthony Stokes looked to have put the Hoops on course for a 21st consecutive win in domestic competitions when he rounded Jason Brown and slotted the ball home from an acute angle after 28 minutes.

Celtic had not conceded in their previous six matches, but Aberdeen equalised when Gavin Rae's shot took a wicked deflection off Celtic debutant Andre Blackman and flew past Fraser Forster a minute before the break.

A spirited second-half display from Aberdeen helped them continue their own unbeaten run, which now stretches to 12 games.

With the administrators contemplating axing players, Rangers' mood was darkened with a 2-1 home loss to Hearts.

Steven Davis gave Rangers the lead on the stroke of half time but Ian Black drew the visitors level and the comeback was complete when Jamie Hamill turned home the rebound after Alan McGregor had saved his penalty.

Motherwell defeated Dunfermline 2-0 at East End Park to extend the Pars' miserable run without a home victory in the SPL to 15.

Dunfermline goalkeeper Chris Smith gifted Motherwell the opening goal when he let Michael Higdon's weak shot slip through his grasp in the 64th minute. Henrik Ojamaa then doubled the visitors' lead when he rocketed a shot beyond the helpless keeper six minutes later.

Victory for Motherwell moves them within three points of Rangers in second place while Dunfermline are now four points adrift at the foot of table.

Hibernian eased their relegation worries in a 0-0 stalemate with draw specialists St Mirren at Easter Road.

Buddies goalkeeper Craig Samson saved a first-half James McPake header and second-half shots in quick succession from Leigh Griffiths and substitute David Wotherspoon as 11th-placed Hibs moved four points clear of Dunfermline at the foot of the table.

Dean Shiels and Cillian Sheridan were both dismissed for simulation as Kilmarnock and St Johnstone drew a blank at Rugby Park.

Two minutes from the break Alan Mannus saved a poor spot-kick from the Kilmarnock midfielder after Saints left-back Callum Davidson was adjudged by referee Craig Charleston to have pulled down Gary Harkins in the box.

The former Hibernian player, who was booked for going in too hard for the rebound, compounded his error when he was dismissed in the 75th minute after picking up his second yellow card for simulation in the Saints box.

There was more drama to follow two minutes from time as Perth striker Sheridan, booked in the 70th minute for kicking the ball away, was handed his second yellow by Charleston, also for simulation inside the Killie box.

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