Chippa United moved three points clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Free State Stars at Goble Park in Bethlehem on Saturday.
Goals from Rhulani Manzini and Kurt Lentjies guided the Chilli Boys to their first away win of the season and extended their unbeaten run against Ea Lla Koto to seven matches.
Victory moves Chippa up to 13th place on the log standings, three points above Stars who sit a mere two points above bottom placed Maritzburg United who recorded a valuable win on Friday evening.
The visitors took a narrow lead into the interval thanks to a 28th minute penalty from Manzini. The forward making no mistake from the spot to continue his good form under head coach Clinton Larsen.
Stars pushed forward in search of the equaliser in the second half and went close through Harris Tchilimbou just after the hour mark. The Congolese forward lost his marker, but could only succeed in guiding his header straight at the Chilli Boys shot-stopper.
Chippa made sure of all three points with four minutes of regulation time remaining. Lentjies with the all important goal as the Eastern Cape club continue their revival since Larsen's appointment.
Free State Stars (0) 0
Chippa United (1) 2 (R.Manzini 28' Lentjies 86')
TEAMS:
Free State Stars: Sangare; Masehe, Mahamutsa, Mathumo, Mbhele, Mokhuoane (Masina 46'), Mobbie, Tchilimbou, Kizza, Dlamini (Makhaula 46'), Katsvairo (Jantjie 73').
Chippa United: Mzimela, Nsabiyumva, Macheke, Mayambela (Rakhale 65'), Shitolo, Gamildien (Mbenyane 61'), Tlolane, Komane, Malepe, Lentjies, R.Manzini (Makobela 70').