Motherwell 0 Hibernian 3

Author: David RobertsonPublished 5th Dec 2020

Stephen McGinn scored his first goal for Hibernian as the visitors re-established a healthy Scottish Premiership lead over Motherwell with a 3-0 victory at Fir Park.

Martin Boyle netted the opener in the 59th minute and substitutes Christian Doidge and McGinn struck in the closing stages as Hibs moved eight points clear of their opponents and into third place above Aberdeen.

Motherwell had shot up three places on Thursday after being awarded 3-0 wins over Kilmarnock and St Mirren after their opponents' Covid-19 breaches led to postponed games in September.

Those decisions, following a Scottish Professional Football League tribunal, were criticised by Hibs head coach Jack Ross, who also argued that 3-0 was an unrealistic scoreline.

The double boost gave Motherwell the chance to move two points off Hibs and they almost took advantage.

Tony Watt missed several chances and Bevis Mugabi had a goal disallowed for the home team before Boyle fired home from a tight angle.

Mugabi later hit the post before Doidge settled the outcome and McGinn scored in the dying seconds.

Interim manager Davie Martindale enhanced his hopes of landing the job on a permanent basis after guiding Livingston to a 2-0 victory over coronavirus-hit Dundee United.

Scott Pittman and Marvin Bartley found the net as the hosts collected their first Premiership win since beating the same opposition at Tannadice on October 2.

United, who were without their entire coaching team and nine first-team players due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club, had been the better side in the first half but Livingston ran out worthy winners in the end.

St Mirren fell to the bottom of the Premiership table after being held 1-1 at home by 10-man Aberdeen.

Jim Goodwin's side dominated for the bulk of the game but could not find a winning goal after Lewis Ferguson had been sent off for the visitors early in the second half.

Jonny Hayes had put Aberdeen in front before a Jamie McGrath penalty drew St Mirren level late in the first half.

Hamilton moved off the bottom after defeating Kilmarnock courtesy of Ross Callachan's penalty.

Kilmarnock were reduced to 10 men - for the fifth time this season - after just 29 minutes when Clevid Dikamona was dismissed for a two-footed tackle on Scott Martin.

But they defended resiliently until referee Willie Collum awarded the hosts a penalty after 73 minutes.

It came in controversial fashion when Collum adjudged that Callachan's shot struck Brandon Haunstrup on the arm to leave Kilmarnock furious.

The decision appeared harsh but Callachan remained unfazed from his penalty miss at Tannadice a few weeks ago and slotted the spot-kick past Danny Rodgers.