St Johnstone Women lost 5-0 away to league leaders Queen’s Park at New Tinto Park in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon.
Two changes were made to the side which had defeated Gartcairn last weekend.
Scarlett Brady came into midfield for Elvie McLean and Olivia Hurrell, who scored her first goal for the club last week, started in place of Jodie Malcolm.
The home side dominated possession in the first half, with a few corners won in the opening stages.
With 23 minutes gone, the deadlock was finally broken. Ami Robertson drove down the left and crossed for Nicole Cairney to fire past Bobby Cochran.
Just over 10 minutes later, their lead was doubled when quick play saw Abby Callaghan pounce and prod the ball home past Cochran.
Saints had struggled to get forward in the match and the best opportunity was an Alix Moodie effort which went just wide of Lauren McGregor’s right hand post.
McLean and Malcolm were introduced at the break for Brady and Nicole Carter, both of whom took heavy knocks in the first half.
But just after the hour mark Queen’s had a third. This time a cross swung in from the left and Megan Quigley rose to head home at the back post.
With 15 minutes remaining, there was a fourth in a similar manner. A corner from the left was this time headed home by Emma Craig.
Mariluz Sanchez, Anna Murray and Eirinn McCafferty were then introduced for Ellie MacIver, Laura Steedman and Hurrell.
Saints had enjoyed more possession in the Queen’s half than they had in the first, but McGregor remained relatively untroubled, smothering a couple of attacks as the ball came into her box.
With two minutes of the match left, Queen’s headed a fifth goal through Ami Robertson.
Saints remain in fifth place in the SWPL2, with a free week next Sunday before welcoming Boroughmuir to Riverside on March 3.
Reacting to the Queen’s Park defeat, manager Kev Candy said: “We were disappointed with a 5-0 reversal, naturally, especially with how good some of the results have been in recent weeks.
“We know that not every day will go our way. Sunday was a challenge and Queen’s Park are top for a reason, but there are things we could have done a lot better.
“We spoke to the girls at half-time, but they certainly showed more character in the second half which was pleasing to see.
“It’s certainly not going to define how we play in our games going forward. Disappointing, but lots and lots to look forward to.”