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Phuthaditjhaba - Mpho Makola scored twice as Free State Stars beat Maritzburg United 4-1 in their Premiership fixture at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Phuthaditjhaba on Saturday.
Stars' win moves them to fourth in the league standings on 45 points, one point ahead of Moroka Swallows, who play Golden Arrows on Sunday.
Maritzburg United took the lead in the 32nd minute after Kurt Lentjies delivered a dangerous cross into the Stars area, with Katlego Mashego scoring an own goal.
Stars hit back six minutes from half-time through Makola, who powered the ball past keeper Shoaib Walters after a scramble in the six-yard box.
The teams went into half-time level at 1-1 with Stars looking the more likely to score a second.
They had a chance to take the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Edward Manqele was released with only the keeper to beat, but Walters pulled off a good save low down after charging out of his goalmouth.
Stars maintained their dominance over United and were rewarded with the lead in the 65th minute through Ayanda Gcaba, who slotted home after the ball bounced off the crossbar from Manqele's right-footed volley from close range.
Makola scored his second 11 minutes from time, after he was allowed to run at the United defence, before unleashing a strike from outside the 18-yard area into the bottom left corner of Walters' goal.
Ryan de Jongh completed a disappointing day for Maritzburg United in the 84th minute when he too put the ball into his own net to seal maximum points for Stars.
Maritzburg United remain 10th on the log, a point ahead of Golden Arrows, who have an opportunity to leapfrog United if they beat Swallows on Sunday.
