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Michael Higdon scored twice as Motherwell comfortably beat Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League.

The Englishman's fine strike and Henrik Ojamaa's low drive put Motherwell two up inside eight minutes.

Higdon fired his second after the break before Jon Daly's shot pulled one back for the hosts.

But United could not make a further dent in the scoreline and victory for 'Well means Celtic need to wait until their match on Sunday to win the SPL.

One point against Inverness will secure the championship for the Glasgow side on their own patch, while at the same time handing Motherwell a strong advantage in the battle for second spot.

The Steelmen made the most impressive of starts at Tannadice.

After initial good work from James McFadden, Higdon hammered an unstoppable shot in off the post from 30 yards.

Ojamaa soon added a second. The Estonian picked up outside the United box and drifted past Sean Dillon before drawing Radoslaw Cierznak out and stabbing home with the outside of his right foot.

In between those efforts the United goalkeeper had to dive into a throng of players to beat away a shot from the right by Chris Humphrey.

The hosts gradually fought their way back into the game and created several good chances.

Daly ghosted to the near post to meet Stuart Armstrong's cross but Darren Randolph blocked with his chest.

And then Ryan Gauld's chip nicked the bar following an exchange with Armstrong.

As half-time neared, Gary Mackay-Steven cut in from the left and drove the ball off Tom Hateley, only to see a seemingly net-bound ball brilliantly saved by Randolph's athletic save.

Motherwell added to their lead just 10 minutes after the restart and it was Higdon who struck for his second goal, squeezing home a low shot after a neat combination with Humphrey.

Willo Flood cracked the post with a free-kick as United went looking for a consolation but a goal for the home side finally came when Daly swivelled on to a ball from Mackay-Steven to fire low through the legs of Randolph.

The Motherwell keeper saved an Armstrong effort moments later and then had to spring to his left to beat away a powerful Mackay-Steven drive after the wide player showed tidy skills to cut in and unleash the shot.

The home side pressed hard but Motherwell had the nous and experience to see the game out and move six points clear of Inverness.