Celtic almost opened the scoring with only a couple of minutes on the clock and, ironically, it was Bobo Balde, potentially playing his last game for the club, who went close.

An Ulrik Laursen cross reached him at the back post and his header beat Combe but landed on top of the crossbar.

Killie had the ball in the net after 11 minutes through Steven Naismith, but the assistant referee correctly indicated that it had gone over the goal-line before Gary McDonald cut it back to his team-mate.

Sutton saw a shot from the edge of the box comfortably held by Combe and the striker also had a glancing header deflected wide.

But the striker put his side ahead seven minutes before half-time after an inexplicable handball in the box by Invincibile as he challenged Hartson in the air. (right)

Sutton expertly guided the ball past Combe from the penalty spot.

The game as a whole had been scrappy and that continued to be the case after the break, with neither side creating much in the way of goalscoring opportunities.

Peter Leven tested Douglas from about 30 yards but the keeper held his low drive well on the hour mark.

Hartson was denied a goal when he pushed Invincibile in the back before heading into the net.

Substitute Henri Camara had a powerful shot well held by Combe with eight minutes left before Hartson somehow hit the bar from six yards with only the keeper to beat.

Minutes before Gary Wales had been knocked off the ball by Sutton, inside the box, but you already know the outcome of this (non) infringement!!

Kilmarnock: Combe, Fontaine, Lilley, Ford, Hay, Locke, McDonald, Naismith (Johnstone 67 mins) Leven, Boyd (Nish 57 mins), Invincibile (Wales 80 mins).

Subs: Smith, Fowler, Murray & Dodds

Attendance: 9,732