Derby delight for Hamilton Accies

James McCarthy scored both goals as Hamilton Accies defeated Motherwell 2-0 in the Lanarkshire derby at New Douglas Park to move level on points with their local rivals.

In the first league derby between the teams in Hamilton for almost exactly 20 years, McCarthy broke the deadlock just before the break and sealed the points midway through the second half as Mark McGhee's men suffered a fifth straight defeat.

Rangers maintained their superb home form with a 1-0 win over Hibernian at Ibrox. Hibs were the last team to beat Walter Smith's side there in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League 14 months ago but in-form Kris Boyd's 61st-minute goal moved Rangers to within a point of the top.

Dundee United stay third on goal difference following a 0-0 draw with Hearts in front of a near-capacity crowd of 16,442 at Tynecastle. It was a rare stalemate between the clubs and means United have lost just once in 14 SPL games, while Hearts are undefeated in seven.

Jimmy Calderwood's Aberdeen are up to fifth after a convincing 3-0 win over an Inverness CT outfit whose poor home form continues. The Dons - who have never lost at the Caledonian Stadium - took an early lead through Charlie Mulgrew. Gary McDonald and Darren Mackie netted soon after half-time as Aberdeen jumped above Hibs in the table.

St Mirren enjoyed a third successive victory thanks to an Andy Dorman goal at Rugby Park, where Saints moved to within a point of Kilmarnock. The result lifts Gus MacPherson's men four points clear of the bottom quartet of Hamilton, Inverness CT, Motherwell and Falkirk.

Leaders Celtic go to Falkirk on Sunday in a match that is live on Setanta Sports at 2pm.

Click here for Clydesdale Bank Premier League table