GLASGOW (AFP) - Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has warned Rangers that his side are gathering momentum in the race for second place in the Scottish Premier League.

Dons striker Steve Lovell scored the first half goal that sealed a 1-0 victory for Calderwood's third-placed team and closed the gap on Rangers to four points.

A second-place finish earns a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds and Calderwood believes Aberdeen are on course.

He said: "It was a good day for us and we have everything in our own hands at the moment.

"We may not be in the spot to qualify for the Champions League just now, but with regards to third place, with nine games to go then we are in a good position."

Barry Nicholson's pass gave Lovell the chance to surge into the area and he drove a fierce shot past Craig Gordon.

Hearts, with sporting director Anatoly Korobochka in charge as interim head coach while Valdas Ivanauskas is away on "football business", could have gone third with a win.

But Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston, on loan from Terek Grozny, was dismissed midway through the second half for two yellow cards and the Edinburgh side never threatened to come back.

Moroccan striker Abdessalam Benjelloun scored twice as Hibernian beat 10-man Falkirk 2-0 at Easter Road.

Dean Holden was sent off just before half-time when his sliding tackle on Merouane Zemmama was deemed worthy of a red card.

John Hughes's side had lost their previous seven matches and after Holden's dismissal it was no surprise when they fell behind to Benjelloun's 52nd minute strike.

Benjelloun put the result beyond doubt in the 74th minute when he converted Michael Stewart's pass.

Hughes was furious with referee Craig Thomson and he said: "I think, once again, Craig Thomson took a rush of blood and could have taken a couple of seconds out. For me, the red card just beggars belief."

Motherwell held on for a 1-1 draw at Dundee United despite a late red card for defender Paul Quinn.

Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith gifted the hosts the opening goal when he spilled Jon Daly's 29th minute header, allowing United midfielder Steven Robb to net his first goal for the club.

But Maurice Malpas's side hit back quickly and defender Danny Murphy equalised in the 37th minute before Quinn was sent off in the closing minutes for a second booking.

Paul Di Giacomo's double strike helped Kilmarnock to a 3-2 home win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Markus Paatelainen gave Inverness the lead after 10 minutes at Rugby Park, only for Di Giacomo to bring Kilmarnock back on to level terms seven minutes later.

Giacomo had scored just four times all season, but he was in clinical form against Iverness and slammed in his second off the crossbar in the 27th minute.

His strike partner Steven Naismith has been far more prolific and he put Jim Jefferies' side further in front with an overhead kick to claim his 16th goal of the season in the 45th minute.

Darren Dods reduced the deficit three minutes after half-time but the League Cup finalists held on.

Jefferies said: "Nobody can deny us if we get into the top six because we have been there or thereabouts all season.

"It's terrific that we can go into the cup final with two back-to-back wins behind us and a top-six spot virtually secured."

Dunfermline looked destined for relegation after being held to a goal-less draw against fellow strugglers St Mirren at East End Park.

Stephen Kenny's rock bottom side dominated for long periods but were unable to make the breakthrough and remain nine points adrift of second bottom St Mirren.

Kenny conceded that the Pars are deep in trouble and he said: "Our situation is we need to win sooner than later. We are in a precarious position."

Leaders Celtic can move closer to the title with a win over Glasgow rivals Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday.