A goalless war of attrition did Celtic few favours in the battle for championship honours as Kilmarnock denied them the win their fading title hopes desperately required.

With Rangers having lost to Dundee United at Ibrox, this was an opportunity spurned to reduce the gap on the leaders to seven points. Instead, nine points is the new margin.

It was not that Celtic wanted for effort or desire, but their perspiration was rarely matched by the level of inspiration needed to deprive Kilmarnock a 17th clean sheet this term.

It was a mean defensive display by the home side which made for a game high in tension but low on drama.

The visitors had the first effort at goal, Craig Burley releasing Jackie McNamara whose pullback set up an effort from distance by Paul Lambert deflected wide of the mark.

Neither team refrained from heavy challenges in a fiercely contested opening period and for persistent fouling Kilmarnock's Paul Wright collected the first yellow card in the 16th minute.

After 26 minutes, Mark Viduka spurned a potential opening when he failed to connect with a powerfully driven McNamara cross as Celtic sought to calm proceedings with a goal.

For all its pace the contest continued to prove low on quality after the interval with Gus McPherson's booking for felling Tosh McKinlay indicative of Kilmarnock's approach.

From the resulting free-kick Vidar Riseth headed wide when well-placed as too, on the hour mark, did Henrik Larsson, but in truth Celtic were unable to create the chances they craved.

KILMARNOCK: Marshall, MacPherson, Kerr, McGowne, Reilly, Holt, Wright (Burke 84), Durrant (Mahood 86), Mitchell, McCoist (Roberts 69), Lauchlan. Subs Not Used: Hamilton, Strain. Booked: Wright, MacPherson, McGowne.

CELTIC: Gould, Boyd, McNamara, Larsson, Burley, Lambert, McKinlay, Blinker, Riseth, Mjallby, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Brattbakk, Marshall, Healy, Burchill, Corr. Booked: Mjallby.

Referee: M McCurry (Glasgow).