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Polokwane - Polokwane City got themselves back into the hunt for promotion when they beat Black Leopards 1-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, in Polokwane on Wednesday night.
It was Leopards who made the more positive start to a blistering opening 20 minutes, but they failed to create any real chances as the home side defended with authority.
There was an opportunity for Mumuni Abaubakkar 20 minutes into the game, but the man on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns sent a 20-yard drive just wide.
The game remained open and entertaining with a goal always looking like a possibility at either end of the field. It was however the hosts who were to draw first blood when Vukile Mngqibisa headed home from a free kick on the half hour mark, with Leopards keeper Jacob Mokhasi finding himself out of position.
Lidoda Duvha came back in search of an equaliser, but again found it tough to create openings in the Rise and Shine defence, their only real further effort on goal in the first half saw Bafana Sibeko firing a low drive wide from outside the box.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with the NFD club having their fair share of the play, but again found it difficult to make any headway on the hosts' goal.
For their part Polokwane were happy to sit back and absorb the pressure, never looking unduly worried at the back.
There was a chance seven minutes from time for Boebie Solomons side to extend their lead, but Puleng Tloane was off target with a volley from 16 yards out.
The win sees Polokwane moving to the top of the play-off standings, with four points from two games.
Leopards have three points from their two matches while Milano United are sitting on one point.
The next play-off action comes on Sunday, where Polokwane host Milano United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
