Falkirk - 0 Celtic - 1:  A late strike by Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady prevented lacklustre leaders Celtic being held to a draw by an impressive Falkirk side yesterday.

Darren Barr had a header cleared off the line by Kenny Miller as the Bairns dominated first-half possession.

Celtic found it hard to create chances, but a Miller shot on the turn struck the underside of the Falkirk crossbar.

Although Celtic improved after the break, a draw seemed inevitable until McGeady's low drive was deflected in.

Visiting manager Gordon Strachan had kept an unchanged side from the midweek Champions League defeat of Copenhagen.

The Bairns were without suspended Stephen O'Donnell and Liam Craig, both sent off in last weekend°'s win over Hibernian.

Midfielder Steven Thomson took O'Donnell's place in the starting line-up.

Falkirk started brightly, with Anthony Stokes twice sent clear down the right only to fail to test Artur Boruc with his shots.

When Patrick Cregg did manage to find the target, the midfielder's 25-yard drive flew powerfully straight into the goalkeeper's arms.

Celtic worked their way back into the game and Shunsuke Nakamura squandered a chance when he blasted over after making room for himself on the edge of the penalty box.

Falkirk suffered a blow when the commanding Kenny Milne was forced off injured after only 26 minutes, with Tom Scobbie coming into defence.

The Bairns continued to dominate possession and Alan Gow sent a curling effort over the far post after another flowing passing move.

Falkirk had claims for a penalty rejected when Kenny Miller cleared off the line to prevent Barr's header from six yards entering the net.

Celtic had a close call of their own at the other end moments later. Miller beat goalkeeper Scott Higgins to a long ball only for the striker's shot on the turn to strike the woodwork.

But Falkirk continued their own forward momentum after the break when Stokes dispossessed Gary Caldwell to set up Cregg who shot straight at Boruc.

Stokes squandered a great opening after being given the chance to run at the goalkeeper by Gow's fine through ball.

The striker delayed his low drive and it was deflected wide by the lunging Caldwell.

Celtic threatened at the other end but McGeady side-footed over from 12 yards after being picked out by Celtic substitute Shaun Maloney's cross.

Gow came close to snatching a win for Falkirk with a low drive that was deflected a foot past the far post. But McGeady's class finally made the difference, the midfielder gathering a Maloney pass just inside the box and driving the winner into the far corner of the net.

Meanwhile Slovakian striker Filip Sebo struck for Rangers just as they looked like they were heading for their third league game in a row without a win. Sebo thumped the ball home after the ball broke to him in the penalty box with just two minutes left.

FALKIRK: Higgins, Ross, Barr, Milne (Scobbie 26), Twaddle, Latapy (John Stewart 87), Cregg, Thomson, Moutinho (McManus 73), Gow, Stokes. Subs not used: Lambers, Dodd, McStay, Lima. Booked: Barr, Twaddle.

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Naylor, McManus, Caldwell, Nakamura (Maloney 60), Lennon, Gravesen (Sno 59), McGeady, Zurawski, Miller (Beattie 76). Subs not used: Marshall, O'Dea, Riordan, Jarosik. Booked: Lennon.

Referee: I Brines (Scotland).