Australian striker Scott McDonald bagged a double as Celtic extended their lead at the top to four points with a 2-1 win over Aberdeen.

It was far from plain sailing for the leaders however with Chris Maguire giving the Dons a 22nd minute lead after heading home Charlie Mulgrew?s free-kick.

But any thoughts Jimmy Calderwood's men had of all three points were banished 20 minutes in the second half when McDonald fired home his 18th and 19th goals of the season.

Meanwhile at the bottom Scottish Cup finalists Falkirk boosted their bid for survival with a 2-1 win over Motherwell as second bottom St Mirren fell by the same score line at home to Inverness.

The Bairns were clearly buoyed by last weekend's semi-final win over Dunfermline and despite having Gerard Afajes sent off grabbed all three points thanks to strikes from Carl Finnigan and Thomas Scobbie.

Struggling Kilmarnock were also dragged by into the relegation dogfight after James McCarthy?s double saw Hamilton run out 2-1 winners.

And in the final game Dundee United increased their lead over Aberdeen in fourth to four points with a 2-1 triumph at Hibernian.