Scotland round-up: Aberdeen secure vital draw

Aberdeen FC secured a vital point at Livingston FC on Saturday to boost their hopes of a third-place finish.

Ten men battle on
Ebbe Skovdahl's side were forced to work hard for a 0-0 draw at Livingston’s Almondvale stadium after being reduced to ten men when Darren Young was sent off after 34 minutes when he received his second yellow card of the match for a foul on Spanish striker David Fernandez. The point keeps Aberdeen two points clear of fourth-placed Livingston with five games of the season remaining.

Delight for Dunfermline
The real winners after Saturday afternoon's league action were Dunfermline Athletic FC. Jimmy Calderwood's side defeated Dundee FC 2-0 at East End Park to climb into the top six of the Scottish Premier League. Last season they were pipped for a top six place when they lost against Kilmarnock FC, but they made amends with a  comfortable win at East End Park. Goals from Scotland internationals Barry Nicholson and Stevie Crawford ensured they climbed above Kilmarnock into the top half of the table.

League split
The win was significant as the league now splits into two halves of six for the final five fixtures. Nicholson struck in 33 minutes and Crawford boosted his hopes of claiming a place in Berti Vogts' Scotland team to face France in Paris on Wednesday with the decisive second goal after half-time.

UEFA Cup chances
Livingston, Aberdeen, Heart of Midlothian FC and Dunfermline all still have a chance of claiming a place in next season's UEFA Cup as only nine points separates third from sixth.  Celtic and Rangers - both involved in Scottish Cup semi-finals this weekend - remain ahead of the pack on 90 and 77 points respectively.

Joy for basement boys
Elsewhere, bottom side Saint Johnstone FC claimed a remarkable 3-1 win at Heart of Midlothian FC to secure only their fifth league victory of the season. A double from Danish winger Tommy Lovenkrands and John Paul McBride's first goal in a year put them 3-0 up at half-time before Gary Wales netted a consolation goal for Hearts after 50 minutes.

Three-in-a-row for Hibernian
Hibernian FC made it three wins in four games under new boss Bobby Williamson with a 2-1 win at Dundee United FC. Freddie Arpinon's first goal for the club in 38 minutes was followed up by Garry O'Connor after the interval. Steven Thompson pulled one back in the 77th minute but the Easter Road side hung on for the win.