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Durban - Frank 'Gabadinho' Mhango scored his fifth goal in two games as Golden Arrows held off Free State Stars 1-0 in a Premiership encounter at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday.
The only goal came in a dour first half when Mhango slotted in from close range, following up his four goals against Mpumalanga Black Aces in midweek.
The game improved in the second half, with Siyabonga Dube coming closest to scoring when he hit the upright.
The result lifted Arrows to ninth, ahead of Stars, who dropped to 11th.
The first half was a drab affair with quality lacking from both sides.
Makhehleni Makhaula did show some glimpses of potential with his darting run to the near post after five minutes, but ended up putting his shot wide.
Danny Venter twice had a go from distance, but both attempts were over the crossbar.
Arrows went ahead with their only chance, which came as a result of Stars conceding possession and the ball played through to Kudakwashe Mahachi, who squared to Mhango for a simple finish.
The match livened up after the break, with Lucky Mohomi the main threat for Ea Lla Koto.
He tested Maxamilian Mbaeva with a free-kick, before Mhango’s shot trickled agonisingly wide.
Mahachi then saw his point-blank strike somehow blocked by Mathole after a fine pass by Mhango.
The Malawian had two other fine chances to add to his tally as the half progressed, although both times it was Mathole that came up trumps.
The closest Stars came to scoring was in the 78th minute - Mbaeva spreading himself to deny Makhaula one-on-one.
With time running out Siyabonga Dube saw his cross from the right evade the touch off Andile Fikizolo and come back of the upright, with Abafana Bes’thende holding on for a slender win.
