SWPL: Rangers maintain lead as City, Celtic and Partick Thistle also win

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Caitlin Hayes, centre, scored Celtic's opener against MotherwellImage source, Paul Byars - SNS Group
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Caitlin Hayes, centre, scored Celtic's opener against Motherwell

Rangers maintained their six-point lead at the top of the SWPL with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Hearts.

Celtic kept pressure on the leaders by beating Motherwell 2-0.

Third-place Glasgow City cruised to a 6-0 victory against bottom club Hamilton Accies, while Partick Thistle edged out relegation-threatened Spartans 1-0.

Aberdeen scored a late winner to defeat Montrose 2-1 and stay top of the bottom half.

At Broadwood, Jane Ross' first-half goal for Rangers was the only thing to separate the sides in a testy affair against Hearts.

Rachel Rowe, who has been hugely impressive in recent games, set up the forward and she comfortably slotted home.

There were chances for Hearts - Georgia Timms sent an effort wide from the edge of the box - but the league leaders held the visitors off to stretch their unbeaten run to 20 games.

Celtic secured a first league win under new head coach Elena Sadiku as they attempt to chase down Rangers.

Caitlin Hayes headed home a Celtic corner to open the scoring in a tight contest at K Park and Amy Gallacher got the second with eight minutes left as she tapped home a cross from Paula Partido.

Only one goal separated Glasgow City and Hamilton at half-time after Emily Whelan converted Lauren Davidson's cross.

In the second half, it was a much more comfortable display from the reigning champions as Aleigh Gambone doubled City's lead before Whelan got her second.

Lauren Davidson, new signing Wilma Forsblom and Cori Sullivan rounded off the win for Leanne Ross' side.

Carla Boyce got Partick Thistle's only goal against Spartans as she headed in Amy Bulloch's free-kick. It was the striker's second goal in as many games as Brian Graham's side continued their impressive run and moved three points above Hearts and into fifth place.

Spartans remain in the relegation play-off spot, three points in front of Hamilton and one below Montrose, who gave Aberdeen a scare at Cormack Park.

Holly Daniel put the visitors in front early in the second half, but Aberdeen hit back in style as Eilidh Shore found the equaliser and Francesca Ogilvie followed up with a late winner.