Steven Naismith had what appeared to be a legitimate equaliser chopped off for offside and then, after the break, missed two great chances to score.

Kilmarnock had been unchanged from the midweek defeat by Hibernian, but their hopes of leapfrogging the Edinburgh side into fourth spot suferred a blow after just eight minutes.

Nakamura was brought down 22 yards from goal by Naismith.

And the Japanese playmaker sent a left-footed shot over the wall and inside the near post beyond Alan Combe's left hand.

Marshall was called into action to block Colin Nish's effort on the turn from eight yards.

But that was a rare moment of danger as McGeady, Nakamura, Shaun Maloney and Paul Telfer took turns to show moments of trickery during Celtic's domination of possession.

McGeady jinked his way to the edge of the six-yard box but delivered a poor cross that was cut out by Combe with strikers lurking beyond in front of goal.

Celtic ought to have been made to pay for being over-elaborate just before the break, until the final minute of the half when the game become embroiled in controversy.

Gary Wales took a quick free-kick that sent Naismith clear on goal, but he was pulled up for offside after slipping the ball into the corner of the net.

Television pictures suggested that the young striker was several yards onside, leaving manager Jim Jefferies seething as the half-time whistle blew.

Kilmarnock appeared fired up as the second half began and Naismith sent a low drive a few yards wide.

The home side were unlucky not to take the lead when Naismith beat Marshall to a long ball to the edge of the box, only for his toe-poke to slip just wide of the far post.

Naismith pounced on more hesitation, this time by Stephen McManus, but again fired just wide.

Celtic made Killie pay when Hartson turned the ball home after a low Maloney cross was palmed clear by Combe.

Marshall saved at point-blank range to deny Gary Wales then Danny Invincibile lofted the ball over the goalkeeper and just wide. It was just not going to be Killie's day!

And Nakamura and substitute Dublin both finished from just inside the box after fine moves.

Colin Nish did get Killie on the score sheet when he broke clear to fire home, (right) in the last minute. This was Colin's first league goal since October.

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