Soccer

Celtic move eight points clear

Motherwell 1-2 Celtic : Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premier League title hopes remain on course after a late Georgios Samaras header…

Sat May 03 2008 - 01:00

Motherwell 1-2 Celtic: Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premier League title hopes remain on course after a late Georgios Samaras header gave them a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

Chris Porter headed the home side into the lead in the 61st minute but Scott McDonald levelled barely a minute later before Samaras, on for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink bundled home a Barry Robson corner from close range with 12 minutes remaining.

The champions extended their lead over Rangers at the top of the table to eight points but the Ibrox men have four games in hand, starting with a trip to Easter Road on Sunday.

Karim Touzani's first ever goal for Aberdeen saw his side move within two points of Dundee United as they beat them 2-1 to increase their hopes of finishing third.

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Touzani's 48th-minute header from Jeffrey de Visscher's corner added to Richard Foster's first-half strike and saw the Dons build on last weekend's victory over Hibs.

A terrific run and shot by Danny Swanson immediately after Touzani's goal handed United a lifeline, but they were unable to build on it.

In the bottom half of the table, Will Haining claimed a last-gasp 1-0 victory for St Mirren over Kilmarnock as he headed home the winner with seconds remaining in the match at Love Street.

The centre-half glanced on Andy Dorman's free-kick in the 90th minute to give Gus McPherson's side all three points in a tepid match of few highlights and even fewer goalscoring opportunities.

Killie midfielder Jamie Hamill had Jim Jefferies' side's only genuine clear-cut chance but he dwelt too long on the ball in the box and his shot was blocked by St Mirren centre-half John Potter.

Meanwhile Inverness swept aside relegated Gretna 6-1, their biggest SPL victory.

The win was never in doubt after Dougie Imrie put them ahead after 37 seconds.

Rory McAllister headed a second and spectacular second-half strikes from Barry Wilson and Don Cowie put Inverness firmly in command after Steven Hogg had briefly given Gretna hope. Ross Tokely and Iain Vigurs completed the rout in the closing stages.