AmaZulu picked up a welcome three points after they beat Sekhukhune United 1-0 at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday night to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
Sede Dion's 24th-minute goal settled the contest in Durban as Pablo Franco's side pulled eight points clear of the bottom two in 10th place, leapfrogging Babina Noko (11th) in the process.
AmaZulu were looking to snap a two-game losing streak in the league that had pushed them to the edge of the relegation zone, while Sekhukhune went in search of a third successive win under Lehlohonolo Seema, who replaced Brandon Truter at the helm on November 20.
The hosts went on the attack early on and Dion drew a fine save out of Renaldo Leaner with a shot from inside the box on five minutes after latching onto a ball from Celimpilo Ngema.
Dion was presented with another chance on the quarter-hour mark after getting on the end of a corner-kick, but the striker directed his header well off target before Tshepang Moremi went closer moments later as he flashed a long-range effort just wide of the right post.
Babina Noko had their first shot in anger on the 20-minute mark when Katlego Mkhabela fired well wide of the right post from distance, although the deadlock would soon be broken and it was the home fans celebrating as Dion had the simple task of slotting home into an open net after Leaner found himself stranded.
Usuthu remained on the front foot for the remainder of the half and took their slender lead into the break. Chances were at a real premium in the second 45 minutes though, as the visitors probed away for an equaliser without much success.
Ngema looked to extend the team in green's lead on 57 minutes, but his long-range attempt failed to trouble Leaner, who watched the ball sail high and wide of his goal.
Seema used his allotted five substitutions in a bid to turns things around, but the changes didn't have the desired effect as the KZN outfit kept his side at bay to clinch their first win in three games.
AmaZulu (1) 1 (Dion 24')
Sekhukhune (0) 0
AmaZulu: O. Mzimela, R. Mphahlele, T. Fielies, A. Mobara, W. Jooste (M. Gumede 86'), T. Moremi (M. Ndlovu 86'), B. Motshwari, C. Ngema (E. Brooks 72'), R. Hanamub, H. Ekstein (M. Mbanjwa 79'), S. Dion (V. Letsoalo 79').
Sekhukhune United: R. Leaner, K. Mkhabela, R. Baartman, D. Cardoso, S. Ntiya-Ntiya (L. Mabotja 46'), J. Webber (P. Mahlangu 69'), S. Mkhize, E. Mokwana, M. Mokhele (T. Masiya 34'), V. Mncube (K. Mokotjo 46'), T. Morris (C. Ohizu 59').