Celtic came from behind to beat Dundee United 2-1 with two late goals to equal a 40-year British record for consecutive wins and extend their lead over Rangers at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League to a commanding 13 points. Shaun Maloney and Chris Sutton's rescue act stretched their winning league run to 23 games to match Morton's feat of 1963-64 and surely kill off Rangers' already slim title hopes.
Alan Archibald's 60th-minute opener for the visitors had threatened to end their magnificent league record and end an unbeaten run at Parkhead stretching back to 2001. United stunned the already restless home crowd into silence on the hour when Barry Robson crossed with the usual precision of Alan Thompson and Archibald stuck out a leg to direct the ball past Robert Douglas.
Stanislav Varga again should have scored just two minutes later when Thompson's corner found its way to him but it bounced off him and went straight at a relieved Paul Gallacher.
Gallacher was being regularly stretched in the United goal and brilliantly saved an attempt from Sutton before Henrik Larsson failed to hit the target from close range. But the Celtic onslaught told in the 80th minute when Maloney arrived at the perfect time to sidefoot Sutton's cross home.
The drama continued just a minute later when the Bhoys were awarded a penalty following Stuart Duff's mistimed tackle on Stilian Petrov and Sutton sent Gallacher the wrong way.
Former Rangers man Billy Dodds was sent off in the dying seconds for two yellow cards to add insult to injury for a shell-shocked United, who deserved praise for their brave efforts.
Filed by Shane Murray
