Substitute Jean-Claude Darcheville fired a last-minute winner for Rangers as they beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1-0 yesterday to go four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The French forward, who replaced Steven Naismith at the interval, tucked the ball in from 12 metres after a Steven Whittaker lob.

"We applied a little bit of pressure and I felt a goal was coming, but the more the game went on that came into doubt," a relieved Rangers manager Walter Smith said. "It was a hard-fought win . . . I am delighted to win as not many teams win here this season."

Rangers have 50 points from 21 games, while champions Celtic are second on 46 from 21 following their 1-0 home win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Reigning champions Celtic won their game thanks to an own goal from Martyn Corrigan who steered a shot from Celtic's Scott Brown beyond his goalkeeper, Alan Combe, in the 63rd minute.

St Mirren beat Motherwell 3-1 at home. Mark Corcoran fired St Mirren ahead with a 15-metre shot in the ninth minute only for the visitors to level with an effort from David Clarkson.

Defender Ian Maxwell put Saints 2-1 in front at the interval with a downward header from a corner in the 38th minute, then fired home a low shot for the third.

Bottom club Gretna beat visitors Falkirk 2-0, while Dundee United were 3-0 winners at home to Aberdeen.

Earlier, a first-half header from Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka earned Hearts a 1-0 win over Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby.