Football

Derek Riordan lifts Hibs to third with late winner against Kilmarnock

• Derek Riordan free-kick eases Hibs' nerves
• Aberdeen end losing streak in draw at Hamilton

A Derek Riordan free-kick gave Hibernian a narrow 1-0 victory against Kilmarnock at Easter Road, despite Abdessalam Benjelloun missing a penalty. The win ended a five-match winless run and raised John Hughes's team to third place in the Scottish Premier League ahead of Dundee United's fixture with Hearts tomorrow.

Benjelloun, on as a substitute, won a 59th-minute penalty when Manuel Pascali appeared to bundle him over just inside the area. Benjelloun took the spot-kick himself, but it was too close to Lee Robinson, who sprang to his left to keep it out. The home fans were becoming increasingly frustrated as the second half wore on, but their nerves were settled in emphatic fashion by Riordan 12 minutes from time.

James Fowler was booked for bringing down Danny Galbraith 25 yards out and Riordan curled a stunning free-kick high past Robinson. Killie might have equalised in the 85th minute, when Frazer Wright sent a free header from an Iain Flannigan corner straight at Graham Stack. Stokes could have added gloss to Hibs' win in stoppage time after Liam Miller sent him clear, but Robinson thwarted him again, while Maguire volleyed over under pressure.

Zander Diamond prevented Aberdeen's losing streak from reaching four games with a 76th-minute goal against Hamilton Academicals as the teams shared a 1-1 draw at New Douglas Park. Diamond struck the equaliser following a quickly-taken free-kick to cancel out a Flávio Paixao second-half header. But Hamilton were left with a strong sense of injustice after being denied a penalty moments earlier when Jim Paterson brought down Dougie Imrie. The Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee brought on Darren Mackie for Derek Young to revert to a three-man strike force, but Aberdeen escaped the strong penalty claim in the 75th minute, when Paterson brought down Imrie after the forward had cut in from the right wing. Aberdeen were level within 60 seconds when the unmarked Diamond slotted in from Steven MacLean's cutback after a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick . The Dons soon had another chance, but Alex Neil cut out Mackie's square ball as MacLean waited for an open goal and Cerny held McDonald's header from a Mulgrew cross.

Hamilton had another penalty claim, but Paixao's shout was more ambitious after he was brushed off the ball by Mulgrew, and the Portuguese forward soon fired just over from 18 yards after being set up by Imrie. David Elebert had a great chance to win it for the hosts in the 89th minute, but he headed just wide after James McArthur's measured ball had found him unmarked eight yards out.

A late goal from John Sutton gave Motherwell a 2-1 away win at St Johnstone. The two sides could not be separated at the midway point of the match at McDiarmid Park. The in-form striker Jamie Murphy put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute when he beat the offside trap, rounded Graeme Smith and slotted in at the second attempt after Graham Gartland had blocked his initial effort. Saints responded well and spurned several chances before Steven Milne equalised from close range in the 26th minute. Sutton scored the winner with four minutes remaining when he converted from close range. The Steelmen are now unbeaten in ten games, with increased hopes of securing European football next season.

Days gone by

Well held by Buddies

Motherwell missed the chance to move level with Hibs after being held to a goalless draw by St Mirren.

Shoutbox

McInnes defends maligned referees

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes leaps to the defence of referees after his side's 1-1 draw with Hibernian.

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