GLASGOW (Reuters):

ABERDEEN BEAT Hearts 1-0 to move to within four points of second-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premier League yesterday.

Steve Lovell cracked in a 16-metre first-time shot from Barry Nicholson's low cross on the right togive Aberdeen the lead after just seven minutes.

Hearts' misery continued after the interval when Ghanaian midfielder Laryea Kingston was sent off for picking up a second booking in the 64th minute.

Third-placed Aberdeen have 51 points from 29 games, while leaders Celtic, who top the SPL standings with 74 from 29, face Rangers today in the Glasgow derby clash. Rangers have 55 points from 29 games.

Elsewhere, bottom club Dunfermline were held to a goalless draw by second-from-bottom St Mirren, who now enjoy a nine-point advantage over their relegation rivals.

"Ultimately we wanted to take something out of the game," Saints manager Gus MacPherson said.

"I know people will say that we have only won one game in 22, but it is a good point for us."

Hibernian beat 10-man Falkirk 2-0 with a double from Moroccan Abdessalam Benjelloun. Falkirk's Dean Holden was dismissed two minutes from the interval for a lunge on Moroccan Merouane Zemmama.

Kilmarnock emerged 3-2 winners at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle with Paul di Giacomo grabbing a double and Dundee United slugged out a 1-1 draw with Mother-well, who had Paul Quinn sent off.