CELTIC'S SWPL 1 title hopes took a big hit when Hibernian scored an equaliser two minutes into time added on to salvage a 1-1 draw at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
The League Cup holders are now seven points behind Rangers, and five adrift of second place Glasgow City.
Both the leaders won, but it was also a difficult afternoon for defending champions City. They needed a goal three minutes from the end to beat bottom club Hamilton Accies 1-0 at Petershill Park.
Rangers had the biggest win in the first round of fixtures since the winter break, beating Hearts 5-0 at Oriam. Demi Vance and Jane Ross (2) gave them a half-time lead with Lizzie Arnot adding a fourth from the penalty spot and Chelsea Cornet scoring the game's best goal from 25 yards near the end.
“We were excellent in the first half,” Rangers head coach Malky Thomson pointed out. “Hearts sat in a bit deeper in the second half and made it a bit more difficult, but overall we totally controlled the game.”
Hamilton goalkeeper Jeni Currie was player of the match against City, but was finally beaten three minutes from time by substitute Kerry Beattie. who was making her debut. The 19-year-old Northern Ireland striker was signed from Glentoran earlier in the month.
Celtic led Hibs 1-0 at half-time with Charlie Wellings the scorer, but Ellis Notley scrambled home an equaliser after the visitors failed to clear a Rachael Boyle corner. Hibs stay fourth, seven points behind their opponents.
Comeback of the day was at Balmoral Stadium, where Spartans recovered from 2-0 down to beat Aberdeen 3-2. The win lifted Spartans from eighth to fifth in the table, with the final game between Motherwell and Partick Thistle ending in a 2-2 draw.
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