Glasgow go top after Hibs lose and Celtic hold Rangers

Kirsty Howat gave Rangers the lead against Celtic

Glasgow City moved to the top of the Scottish Women's Premier League after Hibernian lost to Heart of Midlothian, while Rangers and Celtic fought out a 1-1 draw in Sunday's other big derby.

Hibs started the day two points clear at the summit, but a 2-1 home defeat in Edinburgh gave City the chance to go top - and they took the opportunity with a convincing 4-0 win over Motherwell.

Rangers would have ended the afternoon on top with a victory in the final game of the day, but Kirsty Gallagher's second-half equaliser leaves them a point behind while reigning champions Celtic are fourth, only ahead of Hearts now on goal difference.

Rangers swept into the lead after just 10 minutes at Broadwood, with forward Kirsty Howat firing into top corner against their Glasgow rivals.

Scotland striker Amy Gallacher fired the equaliser after the break moments after coming on as a substitute to rescue a point, but it now leaves Celtic eight points adrift of the leaders.

Hibs also made a swift start at Meadowbank as Kathleen McGovern's clever backheel put the hosts ahead after 12 minutes.

However, Lisa Robertson smashed in the equaliser after the break and, after McGovern's header hit the crossbar, Emma Brownlie fired what turned out to be the visitors' winner after a fine run.

It took half an hour for Glasgow to break the headlock at home to sixth-top Motherwell through a Brenna Lovera header, but the striker smashed home another to quickly doubled the lead then almost immediately set up Katie Lockwood to fire the third.

Lockwood slotted her second after the break to put the 16-time champions in pole position with seven games remaining.

At the other end of the table, Dundee United, who have taken only four points all season, had their relegation confirmed after a thrilling 4-3 defeat by Partick Thistle that lifts the visitors to the top of the bottom six on goal difference above Aberdeen, who lost 4-2 at home to Spartans.

Eva Thomson fired Aberdeen ahead, but Zara Andrews equalised after missing a penalty and Olivia Chomczuk put the visitors ahead before the break.

Kerry Beattie equalised for the Dons, but Mya Bates restored the lead shortly after and Erin Rennie secured the points that lift Spartans to within a point of their hosts and ease their relegation worries.

Freya Brien gave United the lead against Thistle after only 30 seconds, but goals from Tiree Burchill levelled, before Carla Boyce, Demi Falconer and Cara Henderson put the Glasgow visitors in control by half-time.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Brien reduced the deficit after the break, but United could not find an equaliser.

Meanwhile, Montrose have fallen eight points behind Spartans after a 0-0 draw away to second-bottom Queen's Park.