Ellie MacIver’s 93rd minute winner secured St Johnstone WFC’s place in SWPL2 on a special – and dramatic – Sunday at McDiarmid Park.
Needing a victory to avoid a relegation playoff match, the Saints had taken a deserved first half lead through Elvie McLean’s strike from range.
East Fife, who started the game one place better off, levelled with little over 10 minutes remaining thanks to Harriet Anderson.
As the clock ticked down, a point was not going to be enough.
But MacIver struck deep into stoppage time to clinch a hugely important three points and secure league safety.
There was real intent about Saints’ performance in the opening exchanges and they fired from the traps with desire and determination.
They almost had the lead inside a minute when captain Niamh Irvine broke onto a lovely-weighted through ball, but was denied by an impressive stop from goalkeeper Sophia Anderson.
Irvine soon turned provider and sent a teasing delivery into the box after a quick corner routine. McLean rose tallest but nodded over the bar.
Midfielder Eirinn McCafferty fancied her chances from distance on a couple of occasions while visiting forward Teri Skivington blazed over after the ball had dropped kindly at the edge of the area.
Saints continued to press forward in front of a bumper home support and Juliana Bennett Luna soon found herself in a promising position before dragging wide of the far post.
McCafferty soon sent a strike from 25 yards over the bar and then Kristen Taplin guided into the side-netting as the pressure continued. Up the other end, goalkeeper Bobby Cochran’s handling was secure when called upon.
The breakthrough arrived on 35 minutes and it was wonderful work from McLean. She showed a neat pair of feet to evade her marker and, from distance, proceeded to send a lovely, looping effort high into the opposite corner with her right foot.
McLean was on the hunt for another moments later but Anderson pulled off a great stop to touch her goal-bound curling effort onto the post.
Clear-cut chances were, perhaps, not as prevalent early in the second half and there was a 52nd minute scare from an East Fife corner. The ball eventually ended up in the arms of Cochran.
A determined Saints continued to battle and McLean found the side-netting after ghosting in from the left flank, then Scarlett Brady’s strike was held well. Not long after, Leni Parrish was inches wide with a curling effort.
East Fife levelled proceedings in the 79th minute with an impressive effort from out left, which found the far corner of the net.
At that point, Saints were heading for the relegation play-off.
But there was to be late drama at McDiarmid Park. That was when, three minutes into added on time, MacIver sent a terrific finish from the edge of the box over the head over Anderson.
It sparked wild scenes on the pitch – and secured Saints’ spot in SWPL2.
