AN injury-time equaliser from Darren Smith earned Motherwell a deserved point against leaders Celtic. The impressive Derek Riordan grabbed his first Celtic goal after 36 minutes on his maiden league start for the Hoops.

David Clarkson had the first effort on goal, firing a yard over the bar after turning on the edge of the box. Riordan came just as close at the other end following a clever ball inside from Maciej Zurawski.

But the home side reminded the Hoops of their threat midway through the half when Scott McDonald burst down the left, beat Stephen McManus and cut the ball back for Clarkson, who miskicked from eight yards.

Riordan had a half-chance when he was first to a low cross from Zurawski, but Graeme Smith got down well to smother his right-footed shot. McDonald, whose double cost Celtic the title when they came to Lanarkshire 18 months ago, again caused hearts to flutter in the away support as he broke down the left and played the ball back to Richie Foran, who fluffed.

But Riordan grabbed his first Celtic goal in the 36th minute when he slotted into an empty net after Smith could not hold Shansuke Nakamura's effort. Moments later Artur Boruc kept Celtic ahead with a magnificent double save. Clarkson engineered room inside the box but could not direct the ball wide of the Pole and the keeper then pulled off a brilliant diving save to divert Foran's volley.

Motherwell began positively after the break but were wasteful from good positions.

However they continued to look the more threatening side and Clarkson just failed to collect a brilliant Foran through ball after the Irishman sidestepped Thomas Gravesen.

The Bhoys finally looked like they had killed off the hosts' challenge and Gravesen almost made it 2-0 in the 89th minute when his 20-yard drive bounced off the right post. It proved costly as Smith forced the ball home on the line deep into injury time.