SPL round-up: Rangers missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Celtic after they were forced to settle for 1-1 draw against St Mirren just hours after seeing the Bhoys held by the same scoreline by Motherwell.
St Mirren took the lead early on at Ibrox through Richard Brittain, before fit-again striker Kris Boyd earned a share of the points for the Gers.
It was another dismal display from the ailing Glasgow giants and the Ibrox faithful will no doubt be looking for a major improvement in the new year as they remain 17 points behind their great rivals.
An injury-time equaliser from Darren Smith earned Motherwell a deserved point in a 1-1 draw against Celtic at Fir Park.
The impressive Derek Riordan grabbed his first goal for the Bhoys after 36 minutes on his maiden league start after the champions had dominated the opening stages.
Artur Boruc then had to make a string of excellent saves to deny Motherwell as they pressed hard for an equaliser, but Smith finally forced the ball home after Scott McDonald had again caused the Hoops problems.
Second-placed Aberdeen actually lost ground after late goals from Dundee United captain Barry Robson and Collin Samuel completed a second-half comeback as the Tangerines defeated the 10-man Dons 3-1.
Aberdeen broke the deadlock in the 56th minute as Scott Severin scored from close range.
But the match turned quickly as Aberdeen defender Michael Hart was sent off and Collin Samuel equalised. Robson went on to score from the spot, before Samuel netted a breakaway third.
Fourth-placed Hearts were denied a hat-trick of wins over the festive period as Kilmarnock dug deep to pick up their first point of the Christmas programme thanks to a goalless draw at Rugby Park.
Paul Hartley struck the post in the first half and Kilmarnock defender Simon Ford twice cleared magnificently from inside his own six-yard box as the Edinburgh side endured a frustrating afternoon in Ayrshire.
Jim Jefferies' side defended with tremendous spirit and could have stolen the points through Steven Naismith but the youngster was denied by a double save from Craig Gordon.
Hibernian bounced back from their derby defeat to enhance their European hopes and inflict further misery on bottom-placed Dunfermline with a 2-0 success at Easter Road.
Chris Killen struck twice within eight minutes in the second half to ease John Collins' men to victory.
The result means Pars boss Stephen Kenny is still seeking a first win in charge.
In the day's final game a first-half hat-trick from on-loan Arsenal striker Anthony Stokes gave Falkirk a 3-1 win against 10-man Inverness Caley Thistle, despite John Rankin's late consolation.
Whilst teenager Stokes was the saint for the Bairns, Iain Black's red card for twice kicking the ball away following the half-time whistle ensured he was the sinner for the visitors.
