Shunsuke Nakamura struck a dramatic and controversial late winner as Celtic secured a vital three points in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League clash with St Mirren at Love Street.

Hoops goalkeeper Artur Boruc had made two fine saves, from David van Zanten's volley and Billy Mehmet's driven shot, to keep the home side at bay and the game seemed to be heading for a draw.

But with four minutes remaining, substitute Nakamura, on for Barry Robson just after the hour mark, was awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal after a challenge by Gary Mason.

The Saints players and supporters protested loudly and more so after the Japan international curled his free-kick into the right corner of the net to take all three points to Celtic Park.

It was hard on the Buddies who deserved at least a point for their efforts but that will not worry the visitors who continue their pursuit of leaders Rangers.

Celtic won 5-1 on their last trip to Love Street and although the Paisley side earned a draw at Parkhead before Christmas, the visitors were odds on to continue their pursuit of SPL leaders Rangers with a comfortable win.

The visitors won two corners within the first minute which appeared to set the tone for the rest of the match.

Aiden McGeady's run and cross from the left which ended with Robson sending in a header with St Mirren goalkeeper Mark Howard saved, albeit with a degree of comfort, also suggested Celtic would be dominant.

However, drives from Buddies defender John Potter and midfielder Andy Dorman, both of which went wide of the target, hinted at the resistance the Love Street side would offer.

The home side kept to their game plan and as Celtic tried but failed to make any inroads towards Howard, a sense of confidence increased through the St Mirren ranks - although Boruc was still mostly a spectator.

In the 29th minute Massimo Donati had to react quickly to take the ball away from the toes of Craig Dargo as the Buddies threatened for the first time.

McGeady came close in the 35th minute when he forced a save from Howard down at his right-hand post.

But at the other end a minute later St Mirren had the best chance of the first half after Hoops defender Lee Naylor lost out to Dargo on the right.

With the Celtic defence wide open, the former Inverness and Kilmarnock striker crossed for the on-rushing van Zanten but his close-range shot was brilliantly stopped by Boruc.

After that Celtic looked ragged all the way to the interval.

After such a tentative start, the Buddies would have been the side most unhappy at hearing Eddie Smith's half-time whistle.

Robson's shot from the edge of the area in the 50th minute, which was deflected on its way through to Howard, preceded the substitution of Hoops skipper Stephen McManus who was replaced by Darren O'Dea.

In the 54th minute, as the game came slowly to the boil, the frustrated McGeady was booked for dissent towards referee Smith after another challenge on him went unpunished.

The game swung to and fro and on the hour mark Boruc was again called into action when Dargo laid the ball back to Billy Mehmet 16 yards from goal.

The St Mirren striker kept his shot low and on target but Boruc stuck his foot out to propel the ball away to safety.

In the 63rd minute Robson was replaced by Nakamura as manager Gordon Strachan tried to gee his side up.

Scott McDonald and Naylor had efforts which failed to threaten Howard and when Dargo was replaced by Stewart Kean with 10 minutes remaining, a large part of the home side's threat was removed.

In the 85th minute Chris Killen, on for Georgios Samaras, headed a Lee Naylor cross wide of the target to the groans of the Hoops fans behind the goal.

But a minute later, after Mason had been penalised for a soft-looking challenge on Nakamura, the Japan international scored a dramatic winner, curling his left-footed free-kick from 25 yards past the helpless Howard.

Teams

St Mirren Howard, van Zanten, Haining, Potter, Maxwell,Murray, Dorman, Mason (Corcoran 90), Barron, Mehmet,Dargo (Kean 80).

Subs Not Used: Mathers, Hamilton, Miranda, McCay, McGinn.

Booked: Barron, Murray.

Celtic Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus (O'Dea 53), Naylor,Robson (Nakamura 64), Scott Brown, Donati, McGeady,Samaras (Killen 77), McDonald.

Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Hartley, Sno, Hutchinson.

Booked: McGeady, Donati.

Goals: Nakamura 87.

Att: 7,213

Ref: E Smith (Scotland).