SPL wrap: Lafferty wins it late for Rangers, Hearts thump Dunfermline

Kyle Lafferty scored seven minutes from time to extend Rangers’ lead over Celtic in the SPL to seven points after a 2-1 win over Inverness.

Carlos Bocanegra put the hosts ahead on 55 minutes from Nikica Jelavic’s knock down but Inverness hit back with a controversial equaliser through Andrew Shinnie as Jelavic lay injured on the ground.

Inverness looked the more likely to go on with it but substitute Lafferty’s 18-yard effort on 83 minutes ensured all three points for the league leaders.

Hearts romped home 4-0 against cellar-dwellers Dunfermline after a week riddled with player wage disputes.

Stephen Elliot turned the ball in after two minutes, Medhi Taouil’s miscued shot evaded the keeper 27 minutes in, David Templeton fired in a third 20 minutes from time before Rudi Skacel punished the bottom side with a header in stoppage time.

The players have not been paid in eight weeks but their second win in eight matches should provide some consolation.

Motherwell stay third despite dropping two points in a 1-1 draw with St Mirren at Fir Park.

Michael Higdon put the home side ahead on 48 minutes but St Mirren found a prompt reply through a superb 35-yard strike from Jim Goodwin some 10 minutes later.

Kilmarnock and Dundee also played out a 1-1 draw with Paul Dixon’s late header enough to snatch a point for Dundee at Rugby Park.

Ten-man Aberdeen defeated Hibernian 1-0 thanks to Scott Vernon’s controversial 59th-minute penalty.

Claims by Hibernian that Peter Pawlett had dived to win the penalty fell on deaf ears, and despite the accused later being sent off, Aberdeen held on for another crucial three-pointer.