CELTIC dropped points for the third time this season as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Parkhead by Motherwell.

The visitors took a shock lead after 19 minutes as Craig Reid burst down the right flank after Anthony Stokes had lost the ball before playing in a low cross for John Sutton to divert into the far corner of the net.

Motherwell should have doubled their tally just moments later when a deflected effort fell to an unmarked Sutton just five yards out, but the Englishman somehow bundled his effort wide of the post.

Ronny Deila made a double switch at half-time by bringing on Scott Brown and Kris Commons to replace Aleksander Tonev and Beram Kayal.

It would be a switch that would pay off for the Celtic manager, with both playing a key role in his side's leveller as the former was sent crashing to the ground for a spot-kick with the latter calmly finishing it on 68 minutes.

The Hoops continued to press in the closing stages as Motherwell desperately tried to protect what would be their first draw at Celtic Park in five years.

And despite large swathes of possession and several clear chances, Deila's side failed to make the breakthrough, leaving them five points off SPFL Premiership leaders Dundee United having played a game less.