St Mirren 0 Celtic 1: Nakamura's controversial late winner keeps Celtic in contention

The St Mirren manager, Gus MacPherson, said there was "no point" questioning Eddie Smith, the referee, about the controversial decision to award Celtic a late free-kick from which Shunsuke Nakamura scored.

With three minutes remaining, Nakamura, on as a substitute for Barry Robson, was awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal after a challenge by Gary Mason. The home side and crowd protested, more so after the Japan international curled the ball home to clinch the win that keeps Celtic four points behind leaders Rangers in the Scottish Premier League table.

MacPherson, who has been fined £500 this season by the Scottish Football Association for confronting match officials, said: "I'd love to make my usual remarks but I don't want to give them more money."

Goal: Nakamura (87) 0-1.

St Mirren (4-4-2): Howard; Van Zanten, Haining, Potter, Maxwell; Murray, Dorman, Mason (Corcoran, 89), Barron; Mehmet, Dargo (Kean, 80). Substitutes not used: Mathers (gk), Hamilton, Miranda, McCay, McGinn.

Celtic (4-4-2): Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus (O'Dea, 53), Naylor; Robson (Nakamura, 64), S Brown, Donati, McGeady; Samaras (Killen, 77), McDonald. Substitutes not used: M Brown (gk), Hartley, Sno, Hutchinson.

Referee: E Smith.

Booked: St Mirren Barron, Murray; Celtic McGeady, Donati.

Man of the match: McGeady.

Attendance: 7,213.