SPL round-up: Jamie Murphy scores as Motherwell win 2-1 at Kilmarnock

• Aberdeen pick up first win of the season at St Johnstone
• Rangers beat East Stirling 5-1 at Ibrox in the Third Division

by Nial Briggs 9 months ago

Hibernian claimed their first victory of the Scottish Premier League season, winning 2-1 at St Mirren. A goal in either half from the striker Leigh Griffiths gave them a two-goal advantage but they had to withstand a fightback from Saints, who were unable to add to Steven Thompson's goal and were made to rue Paul McGowan's first-half penalty miss.

Motherwell claimed their first three-points of the season with a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Jamie Murphy opened the scoring after 11 minutes when he ran at the home defence and slotted the ball beyond Cammy Bell. Gary Harkins equalised on the half-hour, but within five minutes Murphy was racing on to Michael Higdon's through-ball before rounding Bell and rolling the ball into the net.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle secured a draw with the last kick of the game as the Highlanders claimed a 2-2 draw in a controversial encounter against Hearts at Tynecastle. Arvydas Novikovas had given the hosts the lead on 15 minutes, curling past Ryan Esson, before John Sutton doubled Hearts' lead following a debatable penalty award.

Richie Foran was sent off on the stroke of half-time but Caley were handed a lifeline with a penalty, Andrew Shinnie converting. Eighteen-year-old Conor Pepper then equalised in injury time to spark celebrations among the visitors. Aberdeen beat St Johnstone 2-1 at McDiarmid Park with Isaac Osbourne and Jonny Hayes providing the goals.

Andy Little scored a hat-trick as Rangers came from behind against East Stirling to win 5-1 at Ibrox in the Irn-Bru Third Division.