MOTHERWELL, Jul 30 (SW) - Celtic needed a late goal to salvage a high-scoring draw away to Motherwell on opening day of the 2005/06 Scottish Premier League season on Saturday despite a John Hartson hat trick.

Motherwell - Celtic 4-4

Coming off of a humiliating 5-0 defeat in Champions League play in the midweek, the Bhoys and manager Gordon Strachan got off to a flying start in SPL play when Hartson, last season's leading scorer, headed home an Alan Thompson cross for a 1-0 lead.

Motherwell, who beat Celtic to deny them the title on the final day last season, pulled level just six minutes later when Brian Kerr blasted a shot beyond Celtic goalkeeper David Marshall.

Celtic would regain the lead just beyond the half-hour when Hartson bagged his second goal, heading home another cross, this one from Aiden McGeady. He would complete his treble with a minute to play in the first half with a penalty after Motherwell goalkeeper Gordon Marshall took down Stilian Petrov in the area.

Down two goals, Motherwell appeared out of it, but they came to life after the restart, Jim Hamilton getting the rally started in the 58th minute on a header after a volley from Alan McCormack. Two minutes later, the home side were level again at 3-3 when striker Scott McDonald's touch eluded David Marshall.

Motherwell's comeback was complete just six minutes from time as they took a 4-3 lead when William Kinniburgh's header off a Hamilton cross found the back of the net.

Celtic looked all set to lose their first match of the season when Craig Beattie came to the rescue in added time, gathering a long pass by Hartson and beating Gordon Marshall for a draw and a single point salvaged.

Kilmarnock - Hearts 2-4

Hearts are the early leaders in the SPL after their two-goal win away to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park thanks to goals from four different players.

The home side took an early lead in the 12th minute as Steven Naismith scored from just outside the six-yard box, but less than a minute later Rudi Skacel pulled Hearts level with a left-footed volley for 1-1.

Less than one minute into the second half, Roman Bednar put Hearts in front when he headed home a cross by Skacel and Saulius Mikoliunas made it 3-1 with a long-range goal from about 30 yards away.

Gordon Greer pulled Killie back within a goal in the 74th minute, heading home a free kick by Gary Locke, but Paul Hartley converted a penalty a minute from time after Edgaras Jankauskas was fouled by Locke in the area to restore the two-goal advantage.

Falkirk - Inverness C.T. 0-2

Inverness Caley Thistle also recorded a two-goal win on Saturday away from home, defeating newly-promoted Falkirk due in part to a Craig Brewster opening-day double.

The match was scoreless until the 57th minute when Brewster blasted a left-footed shot from the edge of the area past Falkirk goalkeeper Matthew Glennon for 1-0.

Brewster put the game out of reach eight minutes before the end when he touched in a cross from Stuart Golabek at the edge of the six-yard box for a 2-0 lead.

Dundee United - Aberdeen 1-1

Lee Miller put United a goal to the good just after seven minutes, blasting home with the right foot after a corner kick by Mark Wilson, putting Aberdeen in the hole early.

The Dons pulled themselves out of that hole just three minutes into the second half when Barry Nicholson hammered home from the edge of the 18-yard box past goalkeeper Derek Stillie, earning them a point.

Hibernian - Dunfermline 1-1

Seeking to improve on last season's third-place finish in the league, ten-man Hibernian managed a draw at home to Dunfermline on Saturday.

With 12 minutes on the clock, Greg Shields converted a cross by Derek Young to put Dunfermline 1-0 in front away from home.

On 40 minutes, Hibs player Scott Brown was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the first half after a foul on Darren Young.

Hibs would pull level in the 74th minute as Garry O'Connor put in with the right-foot after a pass from striker Derek Riordan, a target of many top clubs in Britain over the summer.

Rangers - Livingston Sunday

Last season's champions Rangers will open their 2005/06 campaign on Sunday when they welcome Livingston to Ibrox for an early afternoon kickoff.