Shunsuke Nakamura scored a first-half penalty as Celtic beat 10-man Hamilton 2-1 on Sunday to move four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Nakamura struck from the spot to cancel out Richard Offiong`s opener after Hamilton defender Martin Canning was sent off for a foul on Cillian Sheridan at New Douglas Park.

Gordon Strachan`s side laboured to get the winning goal despite their one-man advantage but it finally arrived four minutes from full-time thanks to Paul Hartley`s superb strike.

Hartley`s goal allowed Celtic to reopen a substantial lead over Glasgow rivals Rangers at the top and left Hamilton rooted to the foot of the table.

Celtic had carved out the first chance of the game when Sheridan had a go with a left-footed shot which was held at the near post by goalkeeper Tomas Cerny.

But Hamilton quickly created a decent chance of their own when James McArthur set up Offiong for a shot from the edge of the box which dipped just over the crossbar.

That effort proved to be a warning the Scottish champions failed to heed as the home side took a shock lead with 15 minutes gone.

Trent McClenahan was the provider and Offiong threw himself in front of the cross to deliver a superb diving header into the back of the net.

Hamilton could have doubled their advantage when Brian Easton whipped a teasing corner into the packed goalmouth and Offiong rose above everyone else in the box to connect with a header, which was tipped just over by Scott Brown.

At the other end, Cerny was forced into a decent block when he turned a well-struck effort from Andreas Hinkel past the upright as Celtic pressed for an equaliser before the break.

They were back on level terms after 39 minutes when referee Steve Conroy pointed to the spot after Sheridan was fouled by Canning, although the challenge appeared to take place just outside the box.

The Accies player was dismissed and Nakamura stepped up to convert from 12 yards and haul Celtic back into the game.

Celtic had two chances after the restart when Brown screwed wide of target and Stephen McManus`s header was blocked at a corner.

Paul Caddis replaced Massimo Donati and started the move which resulted in Brown finding himself one on one with the goalkeeper but Cerny pulled off an excellent block to deny the Hoops midfielder from six yards.

Just when Hamilton looked set to earn a share of the points, Hartley claimed the winner with a powerful half-volley in the 86th minute.