DANISH central defender Janni Arnth, who was signed from Fiorentina in the summer, finally made her Rangers debut as her side beat Partick Thistle 1-0 at Petershill Park to stay top of SWPL 1. The only goal was scored by Chelsea Cornet after 17 minutes.

Arnth, who played in the losing side against Netherlands in the Euro 2017 final, has been kept out by a hamstring injury. She was taken off at half time as a precaution, but said her return had been a success.

“It was nice to get back on the pitch. I really enjoyed it,” she reported at the end of a game in which Rangers struggled to find a way past goalkeeper Lauren McGregor and a resolute home defence.

Thistle manager Brian Graham, who is better known for scoring goals than plotting to stop them, said: “My girls were excellent. We went with a back five because we know where we stand with Rangers if we open up.”

Glasgow City remain two points behind but cut the goal difference gap on Rangers with a 5-1 win at Motherwell. All six goals came in a 30 minute period in the second half.

Celtic remain in third, but left it very late to beat Aberdeen 3-1 at the Penny Cars Stadium. Bayley Hutchison scored in 39 minutes to give the visitors a half time lead and that was still the scoreline with just eleven minutes to play. A Clarissa Larisey double, followed by a third from defender Cheyenne Shorts kept Celtic's title hopes alive.

Hearts moved up three places from second bottom to sixth when substitute Lia Tweedie scored the only goal eight minutes from time against bottom club Hamilton. In the final game Spartans and Hibernian drew 0-0.