Resident SPFL blogger David Brockett takes a look at how the Development League is playing out.
Aberdeen moved nine points clear of second-placed Hamilton Accies thanks to a 2-1 win over Partick Thistle at Station Park on Tuesday.
Goals from Kalvin Orsi and Cem Felek (pictured) cancelled out Jordan Leyden's penalty as the league leaders clinched their eighth win in a row.
It was an important victory for Paul Sheerin’s side, who were without top scorer Lawrence Shankland and the influential Cammy Smith, both away on international duty.
Doubles from Louis Longridge, Danny Armstrong and Nigel Hasselbaink, alongside strikes from Greg Docherty and Craig Watson, got Hamilton Accies back to winning ways as they defeated Falkirk 8-1.
It is the first time any side has netted eight goals in a game this season, and is the eighth time Accies have scored four or more goals during this campaign.
Third-placed Celtic edged out fifth-placed Hibernian 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at Ainslie Park. Goals from Calvin Miller, Joe Thomson and Callum McGregor were enough to see off Jake Sinclair and Farid El Alagui’s earlier strikes. Stephen Frail’s young Hoops are now just eight points behind Accies, and have three games in hand over Guillaume Beuzelin’s side.
With one league position separating the sides, Rangers ran out convincing 3-0 winners against St Johnstone to move to within five points of Hibs, and have two games in hand. Kyle Hutton, Craig Halkett and Darren Ramsay were all on target for a strong Rangers outfit that included goalkeeper Lee Robinson and Newcastle loanee Kevin Mbabu.
Dundee are another side on form, having now won three of their last four matches. Craig Wighton’s solitary strike was enough to condemn Dunfermline to their 14th loss of the season.
Motherwell are another side who have started 2015 well and, with just one loss in eight games, won 1-0 against Dundee United at Fir Park. Despite having been reduced to 10 men when Ross MacLean was dismissed, Craig Moore’s free-kick was enough for Jonatan Johansson’s team.
Tony Dingwall was the hat-trick hero as Ross County came from a goal down to comprehensively beat a very young Hearts side 6-1 at Riccarton. Scott Ferries, Steven Saunders and Steven Ross were also on target for the bottom club.
St Mirren recovered from Lewis Horner’s first-half goal to grab a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw away to Inverness CT. Lewis Morgan’s strike in the second half saw the Buddies earn a point that also means Caley Thistle leave Ross County two points adrift at the foot of the table.
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