Hibernian Ladies retained their status as Edinburgh's top club by defeating city rivals Spartans 3-1 at Albyn Park, Broxburn, writes Richard Payne.
The victory moves Hibs into third in the Scottish Women's Premier League table, level on points with second placed Celtic, whom the girls face in the final game of the season next weekend.
Hibs went into the match with Spartans without top goal scorer Susan Fairlie and that meant a reshuffling for Willie Kirk's side with youngster Kirsty Smith replacing her.
Visitors Spartans almost took an early lead when Sarah Ewens raced clear on goal with only Shannon Lynn to beat, but the goalkeeper came out on top with a great save.
Hibs took the lead on 20 minutes when Sammy Hare scored from close range following a Joelle Murray corner.
It was soon 2-0 to the team in green when Siobhan Hunter headed beyond Rachel Harrison following a Lisa Robertson.
Hare was unlucky not to score her second goal of the afternoon when she pounced on a poor clearance and let fly with a vicious strike that crashed back off the crossbar.
After the break Spartans attempted to fight back and Claire Crosbie almost reduced the deficit with a header that was cleared from the line.
Lynn then pushed a 25-yard shot from Ewens around the post before the Spartans striker netted on 72 minutes when she latched onto Di Barry's through ball before slotting it away.
The result was put beyond doubt only moments later when Caroline Weir drove down the right flank before cutting inside and unleashing a stunning left-foot drive that flew into the top corner of the net, giving Harrison no chance.
In the closing moment Hibs were reduced to ten players when Robertson picked up her second yellow card of the afternoon after pulling back Louise Mason.
Afterwards boss Willie Kirk commented: "We're delighted to get the three points and get back to winning ways.
"We were excellent in the first half and should've gone into the interval with more than a two-goal lead.
"After the break we made hard work of it but over the 90 minutes I felt we were worthy winners.
"It was disappointing to lose a goal but there were a number of fine individual performances with Caroline Weir and Kirsty Smith standing out.
"We took Kirsty out of her comfort zone this afternoon and played her at centre forward. She was fantastic and produced perhaps her finest performance in a Hibs shirt."
Whilst agreeing with the referee's decisions to send off Robertson, Kirk believes on another weekend his player would've remained on the park and is calling for greater consistency from match officials.
He said: "It's a real blow for us because Lisa has been doing well in recent weeks and at the moment we have no natural replacement.
"I spoke to the referee after the game and told her that whilst I agreed both yellow cards were the correct decisions, on any other weekend Lisa would've remained on the park.
"Players are so rarely yellow carded in the women's game and there should be a greater level of consistency because you cannot pick and choice when to apply the laws of the game.
"On another day I think one or the other of Lisa's yellows would've been given but not both."
Hibernian: Lynn, Brown, Brownlie, Hunter, Robertson, McLaughlin, Weir, Murray, Pia, Hare, Smith. Substitutes: Malcolm, Thomson, Zoltie, Kaney, Kennedy.
Spartans: Harrison, Marshall, Crosbie, Fitzpatrick, Barry, Beveridge, Lukasewich, Young, Moultray, Ewens, Reilly. Substitutes: Farquhar, Mason, Taylor, Galbraith, Archibald.
Referee: Lorraine Clark.
Elsewhere, Hibernian Reserves defeated Paisley Saints 3-2 and can clinch the Division 1 title next weekend with victory over Forfar Farmington Reserves.