Kerry Montgomery’s late penalty gave Motherwell a deserved 1-0 win at Forfar Farmington on Friday night.
The captain’s spot kick, after substitute Lori Gardner was felled in the box, came in a match controlled in large part by the women of steel.
Victory lifts Donald Jennow’s side to fourth in SWPL1, leapfrogging Spartans and Rangers at least temporarily until Sunday’s fixtures.
Knowing the win could lift them up the league, Motherwell had plenty possession at Station Park and had chances to take home a more convincing scoreline.
Nevertheless, the assured performance marked the fifth straight win for the team in claret and amber, who are now also unbeaten in all six games since returning from the summer break.
“Forfar were organised and made us work for it,” head coach Donald Jennow said.
“We were a bit wasteful when we got chances near their goal, but we were still worth the win.
“We will continue to make sure we work hard and continue to improve. It’s great to be in fourth spot, and our main priority is staying above the two teams below us now.”
Motherwell: Hunter, Knox, Callaghan, Rolph, Rafferty, Rice, Montgomery, Doran-Barr, McEachran, Adams, Cairney.
Subs: Vincenti, Gardner, Crooks, Roberts, Arbuckle. Otto, Munro.