Hearts missed the chance to close the gap on Premiership leaders Celtic as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Motherwell.
With Celtic due to play today following their Europa League exploits during the week, Robbie Neilson’s men had the chance to cut the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to just three points.
They were behind early on though, as Louis Moult opened the scoring for Mark McGhee’s side, out-jumping Neil Alexander to head into an empty net after just two minutes for his eighth of the season.
However the lead lasted for just seven minutes, as Juanma Delgado latched on to a long through-ball from Osman Sow before chipping smartly over an onrushing Connor Ripley.
Marvin Johnson restored Well’s lead in the 65th minute, but Sow lashed home from close range soon after to share the points.
Aberdeen staged a second-half fightback to stave off a surprise defeat at home to Ross County, eventually prevailing 3-1.
Craig Curran had given the visitors an early lead with a smart finish after being set free by Liam Boyce, but the Dons responded with two goals in the space of two minutes after the break.
Adam Rooney netted his 10th of the season, firing in following good work from Niall McGinn, before Jonny Hayes’ cross-shot looped over Gary Woods to claim the lead.
McGinn got himself on the scoresheet late on with a powerful low effort across the goalkeeper to move Aberdeen second in the league.
Two goals apiece for Kris Doolan and Robbie Muirhead helped Partick Thistle inflict a 5-2 defeat on Kilmarnock.
The striker beat the offside trap in the seventh minute before finishing coolly, and doubled both his and his team’s tally eight minutes later with a free header.
Josh Magennis pulled a goal back for the hosts, before Gary Fraser and Muirhead struck in quick succession to open up a comfortable lead.
Mark Connolly pulled one back for Killie with a header, but Muirhead restored the three-goal cushion with a half-volley.
Ziggy Gordon’s late strike claimed the points for Hamilton, who came from behind to beat Dundee United 2-1 at Tannadice.
Billy McKay scored just before the half-hour to give Mixu Paatelainen’s side the lead but Lucas Tagliapietra headed the equaliser in the 70th minute before Gordon netted the winner with 10 minutes to go as Hamilton moved fifth.
Scottish Premiership
Played yesterday
Aberdeen-Ross County - 3-1
Dundee United-Hamilton - 1-2
Kilmarnock-Partick - 2-5
Motherwell-Hearts - 2-2
Today:
Inverness CT-Celtic - 13:15
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Celtic | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 38 | 11 | 36 |
| Aberdeen | 16 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 25 | 18 | 32 |
| Hearts | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 29 | 17 | 31 |
| St Johnstone | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 32 | 24 | 27 |
| Hamilton | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
| Ross County | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
| Dundee FC | 16 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 22 | 25 | 20 |
| Inverness | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 19 | 17 |
| Partick | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 23 | 17 |
| Kilmarnock | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 29 | 16 |
| Motherwell | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 23 | 15 |
| Dundee Utd | 16 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 32 | 8 |
Scottish FA Cup
Third Round
Airdrieonians-Brechin - 3-1
Albion Rovers-Morton - 0-2
Ayr United-Dunfermline - 0-1
Cowdenbeath-Arbroath - 1-1
Dumbarton-Alloa - pp
Elgin City-Raith Rovers - 1-2
Falkirk-Fraserburgh - 4-1
Formartine-Cove Rangers - 1-1
Huntly-Lothian Thistle - 1-1
Inverurie Loco-Annan - 4-4
Peterhead-Livingston - 1-3
Queen’s Park-Forfar - 1-1
Stenhousemuir-East Kilbride - 2-2
Stirling Albion-Cumbernauld - pp
Stranraer-Buckie Thistle - 3-1
Wick-Linlithgow Rose - pp