RANGERS are firmly on course for a first-ever SWPL 1 title after beating defending champions Glasgow City 3-1 at the club's training centre ground. They are two points ahead of City and four clear of Celtic, and have played a game less than both.

City, who gave a debut to new American signing Peyton Perea, seemed to be offered a lifeline when Rangers goalkeeper Jenna Fife was sent off midway through the second half with the score at 2-0. But even with ten players the home side remained in control.

“Before the game we asked the players to really put their heart and souls into the game and they did that,” Rangers head coach Malky Thomson said. “In previous games we've had maybe five, six players playing well, but today we had eleven playing for each other.”

Rangers took the lead after 13 minutes. Lizzie Arnot was given acres of room after receiving the ball from Tessel Middag and she beat Lee Alexander with a superb left foot strike into the far corner from 25 yards.

City went two down just after the half hour. Irish midfielder Niamh Farrelly headed the equaliser in the earlier 1-1 draw between the sides but this time it was an own goal following an Arnot corner.

Despite Fife's sending off after 67 minutes, when she ran out of her area and bought down Ode Fulutudilo, it was Rangers who scored again. The outstanding Arnot crossed from the right and Jane Ross sent a downward header beyond Alexander.

Celtic moved to within two points of City with a 2-0 win over Spartans at Ainslie Park. Goals from Maria Olafsdottir Gros and Clarissa Larisey ensured the win.

Hamilton are now six points adrift after losing 1-0 at home to second bottom Partick Thistle. Aberdeen had their best win of the season, beating fourth place Hibernian at Balmoral Stadium, and in the day's other game Hearts beat Motherwell 1-0.