Hearts Women battled back from two goals down to secure a massive three points in a seven-goal thriller at Ainslie Park.
The Jambos looked on course for a defeat but three goals in the final twelve minutes sparked dramatic scenes as Sade Adamolekun’s late winner completed an incredible comeback.
Eva Olid made four changes to the side that faced Montrose last weekend. Charlotte Parker-Smith returned in goal, whereas Esther Morgan, Carly Girasoli and Cailin Michie also returned to the XI.
It was a cagey beginning with few chances at either end, but it was Spartans who broke the deadlock after 26 minutes.
Alana Marshall's cross found Becky Galbraith and she was able to flick the ball over Parker-Smith and despite the best efforts of Lizzie Waldie, the ball ended up in the back of the net.
The home side doubled their lead eight minutes before the break. Lauren Berman found space on the right touchline before shrugging off the attentions of Jenna Penman. She delivered an inviting cross which was headed home by Galbraith to double her tally for the afternoon.
After the disappointment of Montrose’s late equaliser, Hearts really needed a goal before the break, and they got it through Yeeun Park. Georgia Timms made good ground down the right and although her cross missed Sade Adamolekun at the front post, Park was unmarked at the back post to fire home her first goal in maroon and halve the deficit.
It was the worst possible start to the second half for Hearts however as Spartans restored their two-goal advantage three minutes after the break. A corner from the right was met by Marshall and her header from close range found the corner.
Georgia Timms thought she had pulled Hearts back within one goal five minutes later when heading home at the back post, but her header was ruled out for offside.
There was no stopping the Hearts number nine however and she did get on the scoresheet 13 minutes from time. Her cross from the left touchline looped over Rachael Johnstone to get the Jambos back within one goal.
Time was running out for Hearts, but they kept fighting and found the equaliser five minutes from the end. Adamolekun found half a yard on the edge of the box and let fly with a vicious right-foot effort that was past Johnstone in a flash.
The Jambos had all the momentum at this stage and just when it looked like the spoils were going to be shared, Carly Girasoli flicked on Jenna Penman’s long ball into the path of Katie Lockwood. She showed incredible composure to unselfishly square the ball for Adamolekun to win it for Hearts in the 94th minute.
Spartans: Johnstone, McMahon, Berman Browning, Douglas, Marshall, McCafferty, Galbraith, Jordan, Robinson, Foote
Subs: Yates, Mason, Clelland, McMahon, Henderson, Birse, Sleator, Laird, Bates
Hearts: Parker-Smith, Morgan, Brownlie © (Penman, 32), Timms, Lockwood, Waldie, Park, Adamolekun, Girasoli, Findlay (Anderson, 67), Michie
Subs: Rodgers, Penman, Hunter, Rennie, Anderson, Handley, Davies
