Celtic made it five wins out of six to extend their advantage at the top of the SPL to four points as goals from Paddy McCourt and Shaun Maloney ensured a 2-0 win over a spirited St Mirren.

McCourt beat five players before firing past Paul Gallacher on 27 minutes before Maloney doubled the lead 12 minutes from time with a curling effort.

An Andy Dorman header was the closest that St Mirren came to a goal, with the result extending their run to 19 years without a victory over Celtic.

Aberdeen made it five straight clean sheets as they held Rangers to a goalless draw at Ibrox, with Walter Smith’s team firing blanks for the third straight game.

However, they do remain second in the table on goal difference.

Second-half goals from Derek Riordan and Merouane Zemmama helped Hibernian end Motherwell’s unbeaten start to the season in a 3-1 victory.

Colin Nish had earlier put the visitors ahead on nine minutes but Mark Reynolds equalised for Motherwell before the break.

Dundee United grabbed their first away victory of the campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at St Johnstone.

David Goodwillie hit the winner with virtually his first touch, although Danny Swanson’s late dismissal made the visitors sweat at the death.

Danny Cadamarteri and Andy Webster were also on target for Dundee United with the home side twice replying courtesy of Darren Dods’ own goal and Martin Hardie.

Two goals within 60 seconds from Michael Stewart and Suso Santana helped send Hearts on the way to a 2-1 victory over Hamilton, although Marco Paixao ensured a tight finale.

Meanwhile, Falkirk are still hunting their first win of the season after drawing 0-0 with Kilmarnock.

SFL

In Scottish Division One Dundee beat table toppers Ross County 2-0 thanks to a second-half brace from Leigh Griffiths.

County were looking for their fourth consecutive victory but they were undone by an inspired performance from Griffiths, who opened the scoring on 59 minutes and added a second 18 minutes later to wrap up the points for the home side.

Queen of the South capitalised on County’s slip-up to move top of the table after thrashing Dunfermline 4-1.

Raith Rovers lost their first game of the season after going down 1-0 at Ayr.

In Division Two Derek Carcary’s 90th minute winner fired Dumbarton to a first victory of the season against Peterhead, winning 2-1.

Meanwhile at the top of the table, Paul Grehan fired a double as Stirling also came from behind to beat Cowdenbeath 2-1.

Stirling extended their lead at the top of Division Three from Alloa who went down to a single goal defeat against Arbroath.

Berwick Rangers maintained their lead at the summit with a comfortable 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Montrose at Shielfield Park.

Rangers’ lead is now four points after Forfar Athletic shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller with Elgin City, who have now drawn their last two games 3-3.