Steve Naismith netted a brace and Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu also scored at East End Park to help Rangers maintain their four-point advantage atop the league standings.

Celtic kept up the pursuit of their Glasgow rivals after Joe Ledley and James Forrest scored to give Neil Lennon's men a comfortable 2-0 home win over bottom-placed Inverness.

Third-placed Motherwell kept in touch with the leaders as Robert McHugh scored late for a 1-0 win over Aberdeen.

St Mirren were comfortable 3-0 home winners over Kilmarnock thanks to a Paul McGowan double and a goal from substitute Nigel Hasselbaink.

And Hibernian played host to an entertaining 3-3 draw with Dundee United at Easter Road.