By Clive Lindsay

Aiden McGeady (left) scored the winning goal

A late Aiden McGeady strike prevented lacklustre Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic being held to a draw by an impressive Falkirk side.

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.

Interview: Celtic boss Gordon Strachan

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.

And 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 Darren Barr's header from six yards entering the net following a corner.

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 woodwork.

But Falkirk continued their own forward momentum after the break when Stokes dispossessed Gary Caldwell.

He set up Cregg, but the resulting shot was weak and 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.

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 made the difference, the midfielder gathering a Maloney pass just inside the box and driving the winner into the far corner of the net.

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.

Goal: McGeady 84.

Att: 7,139