SPL: Motherwell 3 St Johnstone 2

A Michael Higdon hat-trick has powered Motherwell to a 3-2 win over St Johnstone at Fir Park in Sunday’s Scottish Premier League action.

Higdon opened the scoring for the home side just eight minutes into the match, and he had his second 12 minutes later when he blasted a right-footed shot past Alan Mannus in the St Johnstone goal.

The 29-year-old Englishman completed his hat-trick on 69 minutes with his 15th SPL goal of the season, moving him one behind Inverness front man Billy McKay, and seemingly had the home side cruising to victory.

But two goals in three minutes from the Saints set up a frantic final few minutes.

First Nigel Hasselbaink’s long-range effort beat Darren Randolph in the 77th minute, and moments later the margin was back to a solitary goal when Liam Craig netted from outside the box.

But St Johnstone could not find the leveller they needed, and Stuart McCall’s side moved level on 37 points with second-placed Inverness.

Both Inverness and Motherwell are nine points behind champions Celtic.