The double-header matches took place on Sunday in the Scottish championship. Glasgow's "Rangers", defending champions, won on the road against "Motherwell" after Dane Peter Lovenkrands scored his ninth goal in six away games and moved closer to third-placed "Hibernian", while "Dundee Utd" snatched a late victory against table neighbor "Falkirk".
0 - 1
55` [0 - 1] Peter Lovenkrands
After the club's worst series in history in October-November, the "Rangers" recovered in the months and had won four out of the last five matches. This time, the Glasgow team faced a tough away match against seventh-placed "Motherwell".
The visitors had a lucky start to the match - the referee initially did not award a penalty for Barry Ferguson's handball in the penalty area, and a few moments later Brian Kerr's shot hit the crossbar of the goal guarded by Ronaldo Waterreus.
"Motherwell" continued to dominate and the ball, deflected off Thom Buffel, almost went into the "Rangers" goal, while a shot by Scotto McDonald from the goal line was blocked by Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Before the break, "Rangers" had chances to score, but P.Lovenkrands' goal was disallowed, and T.Buffel shot over the goal from close range.
However, the Glasgow club scored a goal in the 55th minute thanks to their attacking leader in great form, P.Lovenkrands - after a header by Marvin Andrews, the Dane sent the ball into the goal from close range. Later, "Motherwell" threatened to equalize, but saves from R.Waterreus from shots by Phil O'Donnell and S. McDonald saved the visitors - "Rangers" won with a score of 1-0 and reduced the gap from third-placed "Hibernian" to one point.
2 - 1
36` [1 - 0] David Fernandez
69` [1 - 1] Daniel McBreen
89` [2 - 1] Derek McInnes
In the next match of the day, the ninth-placed "Dundee Utd", whose new coach Craig Brewster was still watching his future players from the stands, took the lead at home in the 36th minute against "Falkirk" when David Fernandez sneaked in and beautifully shot from 18 meters past the opponents' goalkeeper.
After playing 69 minutes, "Falkirk" player Daniel McBreen managed to equalize the score, but in the penultimate minute of the match, Derek McInnes snatched the victory for the hosts with a strong shot after a pass from Lee Miller. "Dundee Utd" celebrated the victory and now lead by seven points against "Falkirk" in the tenth position.
League table