Hibernian Ladies crushed Spartans 4-0 in Sunday's big Edinburgh Derby to take the spoils and move 12 points clear of their local rivals, writes Richard Payne.

The Hibees victory saw them arrest a recent slump in form and kick-start their faltering league campaign.

With both teams struggling to find any rhythm, the first half made for a disappointing viewing for the supporters at Ainslie Park.

Hibs however looked the livelier and made the breakthrough in the 35^th minute when Susan Farlie flicked a Kirsty McLaughlin cross into the net.

That's how it remained until the 75^th minutes when Hibs struck twice inside 60 seconds, first through McLaughlin's powerful strike before Fairlie grabbed her second goal of the afternoon.

In time added on Caroline Weir completed the scoring when she latched onto a poor clearance to lob goalkeeper Rachel Harrison.

Ladies boss Willie Kirk however admits he would have been seeking a refund if he had been a paying punter - despite the victory.

He said: "The first half was extremely poor from both teams and if I was a supporter I would have been asking for my money back.

"However, in the second half we were much better.The second goal was the killer and getting the third straight away helped seal the victory.

"We could have scored more having hit the post and missing an open goal, however I have to be happy with a 4-0 victory."

Spartans: Harrison, Nicolson, Marshall, Crosbie, Mason, Magilton, McLaughlin, Lukasewich, Young, Ewens, Farquhar. Subs: Moultray, Clelland, McKean, Beveridge, Archibald, Galbraith, Reilly.

Hibernian: Lynn, Brownlie, Brown, Thomson, McLaughlin, Weir, Robertson, Hunter, Kennedy, Kaney, Fairly.Subs: Hare, Smith, Zoltie, Murray.