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Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein Celtic have extended their unbeaten run to seven Premiership games as Joel Mogorosi netted a second-half winner to edge Platinum Stars 1-0 at Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium, in Bloemfontein, on Sunday afternoon.
Mogorosi's fifth league goal of the season added three points to Celtic's cause, lifting the Free State outfit to eighth in the standings, leapfrogging Sunday's opponents in the process.
The win will come as a welcome boost after Ernst Middendorp's troops drew their last three league encounters, which saw them slide steadily down the table, despite remaining undefeated since February 19.
Despite an uneventful opening quarter where neither side looked like getting on the score-sheet, Celtic went about searching for the opening goal, as Hellings Mhango and Joel Mogorosi had attempts on goal go wide of the mark midway through the half.
With little in the way of chances, Stars got their first effort on goal courtesy of a nasty deflection from Alfred Ndengane, who tried to get in the way of a cross into the box, but nearly succeeded in sending the ball into his own net moments before half-time.
Any hopes for a more open second period quickly faded as both sides looked tentative and lethargic going forward, while neither could carve out any clear-cut chances as the half wore on.
After a rare attempt on goal from Celtic, which was well-stopped by Stars goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, Mogorosi finally showed some impetus and tapped home the opening goal, after Lerato Lamola picked out the midfielder, who had an easy finish shortly before the hour mark.
Lamola had a chance to double the hosts' advantage on 70 minutes, but his thunderous effort was well saved by Mpontshane, who had little trouble in dealing with the shot which went came straight at the shot-stopper.
For Stars, a disappointing display on the road leaves last season's league runners-up faltering in mid-table, with their next outing a tricky away trip to Wits on Wednesday.
