Gers controlled the majority of the first-half and got their reward through Sam Kerr’s well taken strike to give them the lead at the break. The second-half was closely fought with few clear cut opportunities at both ends however, as the Light Blues looked set to hold on for a vital three points Ciara Grant fired home a stoppage time penalty for the visitors.
Malky Thomson made three changes to the side that were 2-0 winners over Motherwell in the Scottish Cup semi-final eight days earlier, with Rachel McLauchlan, Kirsty Maclean and Jodi McLeary coming into the team.
Rangers started in lively fashion and dominated the early possession in Cumbernauld as they looked to build on a fantastic week for the club. Rachel McLauchlan did well on the right side of the box to clip a ball to the back post as it found the arriving Chelsea Cornet who saw her effort come back off the post from close range.
The Gers again went close with McLauchlan involved as this time her strike from range was heading for the far corner but Charlotte Parker-Smith did well to turn her shot over the bar.
The away side settled into the game in the next 10 minutes of the contest as they limited the Light Blues to anything further clear cut whilst getting into some promising positions themselves without testing Victoria Esson in goal.
Jenny Danielsson had an opportunity for the hosts after being played in behind by fellow winger Jodi McLeary. The Rangers number 20 took the ball in her stride as she worked a chance on her left side after being stood up by Shona Cowan but she dragged her shot wide of the target.
Kirsty Howat had a half chance for the hosts inside the area after getting on the end of a delivery from the right channel but saw her cushioned half-volley land in the hands of Parker-Smith who gathered as we approached the half-hour mark at Broadwood.
A combination of Danielsson and Kirsty Mclean almost brought an opportunity for the hosts to break the deadlock. The former’s initial strike was blocked well by Jenna Penman before the rebound fell to the midfielder who pulled her shot wide.
Sam Kerr went close on two occasions but she was only able to find the side netting at the second attempt having skipped by a couple of players. Just moments later however, the same player provided the much-needed spark. Picking the ball up just inside the area she fired home a superb right-footed shot that found the top left corner, it was the moment of magic needed in the game to break the deadlock.
McLeary went close to doubling lead in the next phase of play as the hosts upped the tempo after going in front. Finding herself in behind one-on-one she tried to slide the ball home but the Jambo’s shot stopper did well to deny the forward with her leg to keep it to one.
The Gers looked to stamp their authority on proceedings in the second half and almost doubled their advantage on the 50 minute mark. Full-back McLauchlan looked to pick out Howat with a cross inside the area but the striker was unable to turn her volley on target as she found herself unmarked.
After a spell of 10 minutes in little of the way of chances, substitute Emma Watson was involved as she cut in from the right channel but saw her effort comfortably claimed on the floor by Parker-Smith.
Opportunities at either end were minimal as the game approached the final 20 minutes at Broadwood. Rangers were still keeping possession and remaining in control bud hadn’t threatened to double their lead.
Watson was again involved down the left flank as she weaved inside of Cowan but her strike flew past the far post with Parker-Smith untroubled.
Gers came close to adding a second as Howat almost teed up Watson round the back post. Her drilled cross almost resulted in a tap in for the winger but Cowan did well to turn it over the bar on the cover.
Substitute Brogan Hay thought she had sealed the points after rounding Parker-Smith as the game approached stoppage time, but saw her effort come back off the far post and stay out as the away side scrambled the ball to safety.
As the Light Blues looked set to claim a vital three points, Hannah Davison fouled Cailin Michie inside the box with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Captain Ciara Grant stepped up right footed as she dispatched the ball home to draw Hearts level.
Rangers’ goalscorer Kerr came agonisingly close to winning it with a header from a corner as she found herself unmarked inside the area but saw her effort go over the top.
RANGERS: Esson, McLauchlan, Hill, Davison, Howat, Cornet (Middag 72), Danielsson (Watson 45), Maclean, Kerr, McLeary (Hay 56), Nolf
SUBS: Fife, Docherty, Bell, Cavanagh, Arnot
HEARTS: Parker-Smith, Penman, Brownlie, Grant, Forsyth, Timms (Michie 22), Rennie, McAlister (Anderson 66), Handley, Connor (Davies 77), Cowan
SUBS: Rennie, Sheehan, Brown
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