Stars down Bloem Celtic

Johannesburg - Platinum Stars handed Bloemfontein Celtic their first loss of the Absa Premiership season with a 2-1 victory in Rustenburg on Wednesday night.

Stars took the early lead when Solomon Mathe connected with a cross from Lebo Ramolesa and headed to Robert Ng'ambi, who found the back of the net in the ninth minute.

With 11 minutes left before the halftime break, Mathe shone again when he fired an effort in after Ramolesa had created another opportunity.

Celtic struck back, however, late in the second half to narrow the deficit.

Luyanda Bacela slotted home a penalty in the 78th minute after Jackson Mabokgwane was sent off for bringing down Samson Mofokeng in the area.

Mofokeng tried desperately to level matters for the visitors, missing narrowly to the right a minute later before fluffing two chances in injury time.

Stars retained their place in the top half of the log after three rounds of league matches, with Celtic falling from second place with their first defeat.