The progressive made by the Montrose FC Women was there to see as it took a Hearts side who had beaten Celtic the previous week over 75^th minutes to break the deadlock before two further goals put a somewhat unfair reflection on the scoreline.

In a match played in blustery conditions after a morning pitch inspection at Links Park Montrose made two changes to the side that had drawn with Partick Thistle the previous week. Kirsten Pratt returned in goal and there was a start up front for Holly Daniel in place of Rachel Murchie.

Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges and it took Hearts until the 15^th minute to carve out an opportunity when a header from Lauren Wade drifted past the far post.

Seven minutes later the visitors winger Erin Husband saw her low shot held by Kirsten Pratt,

Two minutes later a cross from the right was met by the head of ex Aberdeen striker Bailey Hutchison but she headed wide of the post.

The impressive Hearts midfielder Olufosade Adamolekun was running the midfield and she forced Pratt into a great save on the half hour mark.

Four minutes before half time Hearts came close again but Lisa Robertson’s long range effort went over the crossbar.

Montrose had the elements in their favour for the second half but the first peace of action came when Geo Carter was booked for a tackle on Hutchison.

In the 51^st minute Jade McLaren showed some great skill in the middle of the park to set up Holly Daniel but the striker just couldn’t get her shot away.

Hearts made a triple change two minutes later with Richards, Andrews and Forsyth coming on in place of Wade, Husband and Jardine.

Brownlie was booked for a trip on Guthrie as the Montrose player threatened to get away. Before Montrose took take the kick Husband was also booked for her protests.

Cassie Cowper stepped up to take the free kick for Montrose only to see her effort rebound from the crossbar with Erin Henderson hooking the rebound wide.

Olufosade Adamolekun then had a good chance for the visitors but she could only fire straight at Pratt from a good position.

The Gable Endies were coming more into the match a pass from Guthrie played in Henderson but she shot straight at Rachael Johnstone.

With 15 minutes remaining the Montrose resilience was broken Brownlie was given time and space to send in a cross which BAILEY HUTCHISON headed past Pratt.

Montrose then made a triple switch with Daniel, Henderson and Robb being replaced by Bruce, McHattie and Codegoni.

Before they had time to settle into the match Hearts scored again in the 78^th minute Olufosade Adamolekun volleyed across from the right and HUTCHISON nipped in at the near post to volley in her second.

Montrose kept going forward and Flo Bruce set up Jade McLaren whose 25 yarder was inches wide of the far post.

With four minutes left Maisey Stewart came onto replace Louise Brown.

The visitors but an unfair reflection on the scoreline when they notched a third goal with a minute remaining a through ball but in MONICA FORSYTH to score with a low effort.

In the closing stages Murphy came on for Neve Guthrie as the visitors played out time.

MONTROSE – Pratt, Carter, McLaren, Ross, Guthrie (Murphy), Daniel (McHattie), Taylor, Brown (Stewart), Henderson (Bruce), Robb (Codegoni), Cowper  Subs not used – Murchie, Delworth, Creamer, Armitage