GLASGOW - Fernando Ricksen converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn Rangers a 2-1 win over Hearts and keep them six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
Celtic cruised to a 3-0 win over Dundee to stay within touching distance of their arch-rivals but Rangers needed a controversial spot kick to seal victory after Hearts had equalised three minutes from time through striker Mark Burchill.
Rangers' Spanish striker Nacho Novo had fastened on to a long ball from Dado Prso on 49 minutes to clip a shot wide of keeper Craig Gordon for his sixth goal in six games.
Hearts levelled when Burchill tapped home after Rangers keeper Ronald Waterreus tipped a Paul Hartley free kick on to the post.
There was more drama to come as Prso was booked for the second time and red-carded after a clash with Gordon following a penalty claim.
Referee Hugh Dallas then consulted with his linesman and award Rangers a spot-kick, which captain Ricksen converted moments after Hearts's Saul Mikoliunas was sent off for barging the linesman.
Celtic, who have two games in hand on Rangers, claimed three goals in the second half to beat Dundee, defender Bobo Balde scoring twice and Stilian Petrov once.
Aberdeen won 2-1 at Dundee United, Dunfermline Athletic and Motherwell drew 0-0, Inverness Caledonian Thistle beat third-placed Hibernian 3-0 and bottom club Livingston defeated Kilmarnock 3-1 in the other matches.
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