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Bethlehem - Free State Stars lost 1-0 to SuperSport United in their final Premier Soccer League encounter played at Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem on Saturday afternoon.
The first half started at a slow pace with both sides showing signs of end-of-season fatigue.
The visitors had an early chance in the fifth minute when veteran striker Glen Salmon had only the keeper to beat but fired wide of the posts.
Ea Lla Koto's Tebelo Mofokeng tried to break the ice in the 13th minute but his header also went wide.
Two minutes later, SuperSport's dangerman Anthony Laffor made a good run with his shot on target but it was well saved by keeper and captain Kennedy Mweene.
Both sides orchestrated some good moves in the middle of the park but their strikers were unable to put the ball into the back of the net.
Referee Zolile Mthetho showed Stars' Sipho Nkosi a yellow card after a dangerous tackle on Ashley Hartog and the teams went into the break locked at 0-0.
Play resumed in the second half with neither side dominating until Lemmesa Fikru headed home a cross from the right flank giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
The goal brought a new lease of life into the match and, two minutes later, Stars' lethal striker Kingston Nkhata beat the offside trap but his shot was off target.
With just keeper Ronwen Williams to beat, Nkhata shot wide once again, much to the disappointment of the home team's loyal supporters.
SuperSport finished the season in seventh place, tied with Wits on 40 points but the Students had a superior goal difference.
Free State Stars remained in ninth position on the log with 35 points.
