Hartley relieved after last-gasp win

Paul Hartley was more than happy with Celtic's last-gasp 2-1 win at Hamilton in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - despite admitting to some sympathy for Accies.

Celtic's equaliser came from a penalty despatched by Shunsuke Nakamura but television pictures show Martin Canning's challenge on Cillian Sheridan took place outside the box. Referee Steve Conroy took the advice of his assistant Chris Young and pointed to the spot before dismissing the Hamilton player.

"I thought it was a penalty at the time but someone said it wasn't, that it was just outside the box," said Hartley.

"Sheridan looked as though he fell about 10 yards inside the box but they say he was pulled outside it.

"It was a tough decision on Hamilton but there's not a lot we can do about it and thankfully Naka stuck away the penalty."

Hartley went on to score the late winner and was thrilled with his strike, which allowed Celtic to restore their four-point advantage at the summit of the SPL, following Rangers' own win over St Mirren.

"It was a crucial time," he admitted. "It was the last few minutes of the game and I played a one-two with Scott Brown and managed to strike it very well. Thankfully it went in."

Accies scorer Richard Offiong had no complaints about Canning seeing red but did feel the penalty award was harsh, admitting: "It was a big blow, it would have been good to go in at half-time still 1-0 up.

"I thought it was outside the box but he is last man and the letter of the law says he has to go so we can't really complain about that.

"We don't seem to be getting any luck at the moment but hopefully these things will even themselves out over the season."