Peter MacDonald hat-trick inspires St Johnstone against Motherwell

• St Johnstone lifted to seventh with 3-1 win over Motherwell
• Dundee Utd frustrated by Kilmarnock in goalless draw

Peter MacDonald put his injury frustration behind him as he struck a second-half hat-trick to inspire a 3-1 victory for St Johnstone over Motherwell at Fir Park. The victory lifts Saints into seventh, ahead of Aberdeen whose game at St Mirren was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Steve Jennings headed his first goal for Motherwell to give the Steelmen a deserved half-time lead. The midfielder met a 39th-minute cross from Yassin Moutaouakil to capitalise on a period of sustained pressure. MacDonald struck his first goal since August 2008 to cancel out Jennings's opener early in the second half. MacDonald, making his third league appearance of the season following a recurring hamstring injury, added his second goal with a similar strike after 57 minutes. He completed his hat-trick after a 70th-minute breakaway when he headed in a cross from Chris Millar. Jim Gannon's team have now gone seven games without a victory in the SPL.

The post-Craig Levein era at Dundee United began in frustrating fashion as wasted chances saw them held to a goalless draw by Kilmarnock. United passed up an opportunity to close the gap on third-placed Hibernian, who play host to Rangers today. Their caretaker manager, Peter Houston, watched his side dominate the first half at Tannadice only for Jon Daly and David Goodwillie to pass up opportunities. Sean Dillon also hit the bar and Damian Casalinuovo missed a golden opportunity, while Killie twice saw goals chalked off but gained a valuable point in their battle against the drop.

A decisive penalty from Michael Stewart, the Hearts captain, at Falkirk propelled the Tynecastle club into the top six for the first time this season with a 1-0 win. The midfielder's goal two minutes before the interval, after José Gonçalves was fouled in the penalty area, was the difference in a game bereft of clear-cut chances. After a hard-fought first half, Falkirk upped the pressure after the break but failed to find a way past Hearts' rearguard.

Rangers face a daunting trip to Easter Road today with Hibernian, 12 league games without a defeat, having impressed Rangers manager Walter Smith. "I'm not surprised," said Smith, when asked about the Edinburgh club's form. "John Hughes has added a couple of players to his squad, Anthony Stokes has done well for them and Derek Riordan is always someone who can get a goal."

Rage against the machine to donate to charity this Christmas

Rage against the machine BBC article

Facebook rage against the machine group

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St.Johnstone Supporters Football Teams

The Saints are represented by at least two regular Supporters teams - Ormond Saints SFC and PSJ. Ormond Saints are a fairly new outfit, officially formed in in November 2008. PSJ are an Internet based side, formed in the early noughties.

For more info on Ormond Saints visit their website at www.ormondsaints.tk and for PSJ the best place is their sub section on weareperth where Ormond Saints also have a sub section.