Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 2:REPUBLIC of Ireland international Anthony Stokes scored his first goal for Celtic yesterday as they came from behind for a deserved victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Dublin-born Conor Sammon gave Kilmarnock the lead after only seven minutes but just before the break, Stokes, on for the injured Paddy McCourt, was brought down by Frazer Wright and and Republic of Ireland internation, Daryl Murphy, netted the penalty.

Former Hibernian striker Stokes converted an Emilio Izaguirre cross from close range in the 51st minute and the Parkhead men looked comfortable for the rest of the second half.

A clean sheet victory for the visitors would have seen them record their best start to a domestic campaign since 1906 – five wins without conceding a goal. But it took only seven minutes for that statistic to disappear. Alexei Eremenko’s clever pass sent Sammon through on goal and the former UCD striker lost Celtic defender Glenn Loovens before slotting low past goalkeeper Fraser Forster for a dramatic opener.

In the 40th minute Wright brought Stokes down in the box to concede a penalty. Murphy sent Bell the wrong way from the spot to deservedly level the scores.

In the 51st minute Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre’s cross from the left sped across the box leaving Stokes to volley in from close range.