Kyle hands Hearts victory

Kevin Kyle netted an 86th-minute winner as Hearts broke down stubborn Hibernian to win the New Year’s Day Edinburgh derby 1-0 at Tynecastle.

Kyle converted substitute Arvydas Novikovas’ deep cross as Hearts claimed a 10th win from 12 games to move three points behind Celtic and two adrift of Rangers at the top of the Premier League.

Hibs frustrated their hosts with men behind the ball and their best chance fell to Colin Nish after 76 minutes, the striker shooting narrowly wide as Colin Calderwood suffered a seventh loss in 11 games in charge.

Elsewhere Stuart McCall was denied victory in his first game as Motherwell manager but his team stemmed a three-match losing streak in a goalless Lanarkshire derby with Hamilton.

McCall’s team survived some late first-half pressure from the bottom club with Dougie Imrie testing Darren Randolph from long range.

But Motherwell began to take control and hit the woodwork after Tomas Cerny failed to hold Jamie Murphy’s low cross, although Imrie missed an excellent late chance.

David Goodwillie scored deep into injury time to earn Dundee United a point from a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen in an entertaining clash at Pittodrie.

Scottish Premier
Aberdeen 1 - Dundee Utd 1
Hamilton 0 - Motherwell 0
Hearts 1 - Hibernian 0

Today:
St Johnstone-Invernes - 16.00
Rangers-Celtic - 13.45

Tomorrow:
St Mirren-Kilmarnock - 16.00

First Division
Playing today (16.00)
Cowdenbeath vs Queen of South - pp
Dundee vs Ross County
Falkirk vs Stirling
Morton vs Partick Thistle pp
Raith Rovers vs Dunfermline

Second Division
Playing today (16.00)
Ayr vs Dumbarton
East Fife vs Peterhead
Forfar vs Brechin - pp
Livingston vs Airdrie Utd - pp
Stenhousemuir vs Alloa

Third Division
Playing today (16.00)
Albion vs Queen’s Park
Annan Athletic vs Stranraer
Clyde vs Berwick - pp
Montrose vs Arbroath