Arnason and McLean on the mark as Dons move ahead of Rangers

MOTHERWELL 0 ABERDEEN 2

The recalled Kari Arnason was on target as Aberdeen moved into second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership with a 2-0 victory at Motherwell last night.

Arnason and Kenny McLean struck within three minutes of each other midway through the second half as the Dons used their game in hand on Rangers to move three points ahead of the Ibrox men.

The result also sealed Hearts’ place in the top six as Motherwell’s slim hopes of overtaking the Gorgie side before the split depended on a victory.

The opener came in the 65th minute as Arnason rose highest to meet McLean’s corner and head home from eight yards.

McLean quickly doubled the Dons’ lead following a throw-in on the right flank. The Scotland midfielder swapped passes with Greg Stewart and curled into the far corner from 16 yards.

The visitors had the better of territory and possession but there was little to show for it in a disappointing first half, although there was a flurry of activity around the midway point, most of it centring on Well’s Stephen Hendrie.

Stewart skipped round the full-back before cutting inside and firing over before McLean had a shot diverted wide after latching on to the former West Ham player’s headed clearance.

Hendrie soon had a better moment when he blocked McLean’s back-post header.

Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis was only brought into action once before the break, to stop Ryan Bowman’s header skidding across the face of goal.

Stephen Robinson brought on Gael Bigirimana for Allan Campbell at half-time and Motherwell looked to have been stirred into action by their manager’s team talk.

Tom Aldred headed just wide from Chris Cadden’s corner and Lewis spilled Curtis Main’s strike but gathered at the second attempt.

The hosts remained on top but had a scare just after the hourmark when casual play from Cedric Kipre allowed Stevie May a shooting chance, but Aldred blocked inside the box and referee Don Robertson waved away handball claims.

Aberdeen soon took a firm grip on proceedings with their quickfire double and they never let go as they comfortably saw out the victory to boost their confidence ahead of the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final meeting between the teams on April 14.

Florian Kamberi hit a hattrick as Hibernian fired themselves firmly into the fight for second spot with a 3-1 win over Hamilton at Easter Road.

Marios Ogkmpoe was gifted an early opener by Leith keeper Ofir Marciano but Swiss frontman Kamberi quickly made amends for his team-mate with the equaliser.

Accies were reduced to 10 men with half an hour left when skipper Dougie Imrie was dismissed following two fouls on Martin Boyle.

Hibs made the most of their man advantage as Kamberi struck twice more to take his tally to six goals in just eight games since sealing his January loan switch from Grasshopper Club Zurich.

An Alex Schalk inspired performance lifted Ross County off the foot of the table after a resounding 4-0 win over relegation rivals Partick Thistle. The Dutchman hit a hat-trick and set up Ross Draper’s headed goal to send Thistle back down the A9 rooted to the foot of the Premiership on goal difference.

County drew level on points with their opponents and moved 11 goals better off in the race to avoid automatic relegation.

Kari Arnason, left, scores Aberdeen’s opening goal against Well.