Motherwell consolidate third place

With joint leaders Rangers and Celtic gearing up for today’s derby, Motherwell consolidated third place in the Premier League yesterday as two own goals handed them victory over Dundee United.

Scott Severin and Sean Dillon both bundled the ball into their own net either side of David Goodwillie’s penalty equaliser.

Dundee United never looked like forcing another equaliser and will have to improve considerably when they return to Fir Park on Tuesday in the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-finals.

Rudi Skacel netted a hat-trick as Hearts claimed a first home win of the Premier League season to deepen St Mirren’s gloom.

The Czech’s cultured left-foot was the source for two first-half goals – the first after a minute and 14 seconds and the second a curling free-kick after 24 minutes – and he struck a third in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the game.

Saints had few chances of note and now have five points from nine matches and are still seeking their first points away from Paisley.

Skacel has now scored four times in four appearances since returning to Hearts for a second spell.