Spartans fought hard to secure the three points at Ainslie Park to fend off Dundee United 1-0.

Mason was first to have an effort on goal after cutting inside the box. Dundee United had their first chance when Danni McGinley’s cross found Jade McLaren who volleys wide. Mason had another effort just before the ten minute mark, McNicoll was equal to it. McQuillan done brilliantly to get past two Dundee United players, her right-footed effort trickled narrowly wide of the post.

Dundee United would then have a couple chances in quick succession from corners, Harkin having a headed effort saved by Harrison and then having a strike fly past the post. The sides exchanged chances for the rest of the half but no real chances and a battling half would come to an end.

Rosie McQuillan had the first effort of the second half, the striker shrugging off the Dundee United challenge and tried her luck from range, again her effort narrowly over the bar.

Dundee United then created the best chance of the game so far McLaren fired over from close range after McGinley squared her the ball in the box.

Gibb looked lively for Spartans once entering the game, the winger breaking forward with pace forcing McNicoll off her line to deal with any attack from the home side.

Spartans would eventually open the scoring less than 15 minutes from time. Alana Marshall floating the ball into the box from the corner, causing a hullabaloo amongst the Dundee United defence. Smart with a fantastic header into the back of the net to give Debbi McCulloch’s side a well deserved lead.

Dundee United created some chances in the closing stages but nothing to trouble Harrison in the Spartans net and it would be the Edinburgh side who secured the three points.