Forfar Farmington can count themselves unlucky not to have taken anything as they lost out by the odd goal in five to Rangers on Wednesday.
Goals from Robyn Smith and Nicola Davidson were not enough for Farmington as Sarah Robertson, Clare Gemmell and Jade Gallon gave Rangers all three points.
Head coach Stevie Baxter made two changes to his team as Donna Paterson and Robyn Smith replaced Megan Robb and Kayleigh Brough.
Farmington started off strongly as they almost scored straight away; Nicola Davidson’s corner being sent inches past the post by Cassie Cowper less than a minute after kick off.
In the sixth minute Donna Paterson’s free kick caused problems for Rangers but Farmington couldn’t capitalise as Beth McPherson headed wide of the mark.
Rangers almost scored two minutes later through Chantelle Brown when her long range strike was tipped over the bar by Fiona McNicoll.
Danni McGinley had a golden opportunity to put Stevie Baxter’s side ahead in the thirteenth minute after racing onto a Robyn Smith through ball but as she burst into the box her effort was saved by Chloe Nicolson.
Farmington were made to rue this miss 60 seconds later as the visitors took the lead through Sarah Robertson against the run of play.
Despite going behind, Farmington still looked the better side in the opening half hour and almost equalised in the 17th minute but Paterson couldn’t find the target with a header from Davidson’s free kick.
Smith was next to miss a fantastic chance; collecting a McGinley lofted ball but after turning her marker she fired over the bar from ten yards.
The duo were involved as Farmington equalised five minutes after going behind; Paterson’s free kick was flicked on by McGinley and this allowed Smith to head past the oncoming Nicolson for her first goal of the season.
Rangers captain Clare Gemmell blasted wide from long range while at the other end Smith almost punished a poor clearance but Nicolson recovered to deny her.
In the 29th minute Amy Muir saw her shot deflected wide and from the corner Rangers restored their lead as Gemmell’s corner flew straight in.
Rangers looked the better side for the remainder of the half but didn’t look close to scoring as Holly Napier blasted over while Brown went one better and sent her shot soaring over the Mert End and into Market Muir.
The first chance of the second half fell to Smith but she couldn’t find a way past Nicolson while at the other end Alana Bruce put in a fantastic block to deny Robertson as she looked odds on to score.
Carla Boyce sent a volley wide for the visitors in the 53rd minute as Rangers looked to consolidate their lead.
Shortly after the hour mark Davidson sent a free kick into the box that found McPherson but she couldn’t get her effort on target.
Muir was next to try her luck for Rangers from outside the box but failed to keep her effort down.
In the 65th minute Paterson’s free kick caused problems again, however as the ball fell to Robyn Smith she had a swipe at fresh air and the ball was eventually cleared.
Rangers were awarded a penalty six minutes later and Jade Gallon stepped up to fire past McNicoll to make it 3-1.
McPherson headed over from a Davidson corner kick as Farmington kept hunting for a second goal and she was involved in the 78th minute as they were awarded a penalty of their own.
Rosie McQuillan was booked as she was holding the midfielder inside the box and captain Davidson sent her penalty coolly down the middle to reduce the deficit.
Both sides were still on the look out for another vital goal with Rangers’ McQuillan firing over in injury time.
Farmington felt they should have had a penalty late on as Beth McPherson looked to have been fouled as she shaped up to shoot but referee David Fearn waved away strong appeals by players.
The result was perhaps harsh on Farmington who looked good enough to have taken something away from the game, however they will rue failing to capitalise on chances.
Forfar Farmington: McNicoll, Cattanach, Paterson, McGinley, Smith, Davidson, Bruce (Hassett 83), Kilcoyne (Brough 73), Cowper, McPherson, Trialist (Shillitto 46)
Subs not used; White, Weber, Deubel, Williamson
Rangers: Nicolson, Muir, Watson, Napier, Gallon, Brown (Honeyman 88), Robertson (Inglis 82), Gemmell, Boyce (McQuillan 62), McCartney, Coakley
Subs not used: Donnelly, Baillie