Port Elizabeth - Chippa United brushed aside Free State Stars 2-0 in a PSL clash played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The result saw the Chilli Boys remain sixth on the league standings, while Ea Lla Koto also dropped to eighth.
The Chilli Boys did most of the defending in the opening stages of the game, but they were able to contain Ea Lla Koto.
On-loan SuperSport United winger Mothusi Gopane replaced injured Stars full-back Reuben Thebakang just 11 minutes into the game.
The home side had a chance to score from a free-kick four minutes later, but Thamsanqa Sangweni's effort from the set-piece went wide of the target.
Stars' attacking midfielder Nhlanhla Vilakazi tried his luck from range in the 23rd minute and his effort sailed wide of the Chippa goal.
The deadlock was finally broken three minutes before the half-time break by Xola Mlambo much to the delight of the home crowd, Chippa 1-0 Stars.
Gopane played a dangerous curling free-kick into the Chippa box, but Chippa's towering striker Bance headed the ball away in the 49th minute.
The Chilli Boys then took full control of the game with Stars keeper Diakite denying Buyani Sali and Joseph Molangoane a few minutes before the hour-mark.
Stars launched a quick in the 64th minute and Ayanda Nkosi's acrobatic effort was easily saved by Chippa's Nigerian keeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Nevertheless, Nkosinathi Mthiyane sealed Chippa's 2-0 win in the 72nd minute after combining with first-half substitute Buyani Sali.