Celtic draw means gap is closed
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Article summary
Celtic FC dropped their first points of the season against Hibernian FC, while Rangers FC won.
Article body
Balde own goal
An own goal by Celtic's Bobo Balde own goal put Hibs ahead after just eight minutes and although Henri Camara equalised minutes later, Celtic fell behind again when former Middlesbrough FC player David Murphy's low shot beat goalkeeper David Marshall.
Four points clear
John Hartson's equaliser on the stroke of half-time secured Martin O'Neill's side a draw, however, and Celtic are now four points ahead of second-placed Aberdeen FC. The Dons had beaten Kilmarnock FC 1-0 on Saturday thanks a James Fowler own goal.
Rangers go third
Rangers moved up to third place following their 1-0 win over Inverness at Ibrox. Croatian striker Dado Pršo scored the only goal of the game with a header from a Chris Burke corner on 17 minutes, but the visitors came back strongly in the second half and hit the woodwork three times. Inverness lost Grant Munro in the final minutes after picking up a second yellow card.
Dunfermline win
Elsewhere, Dunfermline Athletic FC got their first win of the season after beating Heart of Midlothian FC 1-0 at East End Park. Gary Dempsey missed a penalty for the home side a minute after the break, but captain Barry Nicholson scored the winner on 65 minutes with an audacious chip from distance.
Thriller
Motherwell FC and Dundee United FC served up a six-goal thriller at Fir Park on Saturday. United took the lead in injury time at the end of the first half through James Grady, but Motherwell came storming back after the break, Scott McDonald equalising with a header on 53 minutes.
McDonald double
David Clarkson had the home side ahead four minutes later only for Jim McIntyre to make it 2-2 on 69 minutes. Straight from the restart, howver, McDonald restored Motherwell's lead and substitute Alex Burns made the points safe in added time. It finished 0-0 between Dundee FC and Livingston FC in the weekend's other game.