Rangers Ladiesgot back to winning ways with a 1-0 home victory over Spartans on Sunday.
A midweek defeat to Celtic at Parkhead was forgotten after super-sub Megan Foley sealed three points on a windy day at New Tinto Park.
Talk of the weekend may have been about Rangers first-teams’ derby date with Celtic at Hampden, but the female batch of Light Blues gave a solid account of themselves and picked up the all-important win to gain some momentum in the SWPL.
Gers started brightly when Chantelle Brown sent a looping shot wide of the right-hand post. She also had another effort on goal shortly after which was well blocked by the Spartans defence.
The visitors were quick to retaliate and on 14 minutes stung the gloves of Rangers keeper Claire Johnstone with a shot from outside the area.
But Rangers began tightening the screws and could have opened the scoring on 17 minutes. The industrious Chantelle Brown played in Katey Turner who saw her shot crash back off the post.
Kirsty McLaughlin sent an effort wide of the mark before drama unfolded just after the half-hour, when the visitors were awarded a controversial spot-kick.
Claire Johnstone rushed off her line to collect a loose ball but was deemed to have tripped the closing-in Spartans striker.
There were no appeals for a penalty from Spartans but the referee blew for a foul.
Johnstone redeemed herself in style as she saved the penalty and watched on as the rebound was sent wide.
Spartans hit the crossbar in the second half after a goalmouth scramble in the Gers box and Jordan McLintock used her pace to prevent her side going 1-0 down when she timed a last-ditch challenge to perfection.
Gers boss Kevin Murphy decided to change things up and his substitution on 64 minutes proved a pivotal one, when Megan Foley replaced Katey Turner.
Because five minutes later, Foley had the ball in the back of the net.
Rhianna Tweedie whipped in a delivery that striker Lisa Swanson controlled before Foley buried it beyond the goalkeeper.
The Blue Belles saw out the remainder of the game with relative comfort to pick up their second win of the season.
Reported by Mark Hendry
Picture: Rangers FC
