Celtic earn late draw with Rangers to stay second

Brogan Hay will never score an easier goal but Rangers could not build on their first-half lead

Celtic rescued a point against Rangers with the last kick of the match to remain second in the SWPL, eight points behind leaders Glasgow City.

Brogan Hay's tap-in, after a calamity of Celtic's own making between defender Kelly Clark and goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar, gave Rangers a half-time lead, but Malky Thomson's side were pegged back in the 99th minute.

And the drama did not end there as Fran Alonso appeared to be struck from behind by a member of the Rangers coaching staff while the Celtic head coach congratulated his players at full-time.

After three league meetings, Celtic remain unbeaten against defending champions Rangers this season.

• Reaction & as it happened

Rangers have not hid that the sting of the last derby defeat has been a stiff one to shift among the group. Using that hurt as fuel, they started in positive fashion and Lisa Martinez' cushioned header was unfortunate to find the side-netting inside the opening two minutes.

Celtic were reduced to threatening on the break, but appeared dangerous in doing so. Natasha Flint charging down on an eventually relieved Fife, the pick of their chances. The goalkeeper's under-pressure kick cannoned off the pressing striker but just skimmed wide of the empty goal.

While Fife could afford a wry smile at her luck, Clark could not as she gifted, Rangers their opener. The captain's touch on Emma Watson's cross saw the ball fizz away from her own goalkeeper, and trickle into the path of the awaiting Hay, who could not miss the target from close range.

Just 90 minutes before kick-off, Celtic announced the signing of American forward Kit Loferski. In a baptism of fire, Alonso brought her off the bench with 20 minutes to go in an attempt to inject life into a sticky side.

The second half lacked in quality, with chances few and far between until the six additional minutes of stoppage time were signalled.

Rangers came close to ensuring the victory through Jodi McLeary, but the substitute could not latch onto Megan Bell's delivery.

Then, bedlam... For the Celtic share of the 3,134 fans packed inside Broadwood at least as time was added to the added time.

Fife failed to connect when rushing to clear a hoofed ball on the edge of her area, allowing Hayes to strike into an unguarded net, sparking scenes of wild celebration from the visiting bench.