Highlands Park beat Chippa United 2-1 in an Absa Premiership clash at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Saturday evening to move up to seventh place on the log standings.

The Lions of the North opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Mothobi Mvala following a costly error from goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, who gifted the versatile midfielder with an easy finish after failing to hold onto the ball.

Highlands doubled their lead in the 65th minute of the match following a swift counter-attack down the right flank.

Lindokuhle Mbatha provided the finishing touches to a well worked move with a diving header, after being brilliantly picked out by Peter Shalulile who fired a pin-point cross into a dangerous area.

Chippa dominated proceedings in the closing exchanges with Highlands happy to sit back and defend their two goal lead.

Tlolane, though, made for a nervy finish in Tembisa as he pulled a goal back for the Port Elizabeth-based club in the 83rd minute following a neat one-two with Tercious Malepe.

But, despite throwing everything and the kitchen sink at the hosts defence in the ensuing minutes, Chippa failed to conjure a draw as they saw their unbeaten streak in the league come to an end.

Highlands Park (1) 2 (Mvala 13' Mbatha 65')

Chippa United (0) 1 (Tlolane 83')

Highlands Park: Kapini; Sibande, Msimango, Rae (Fransman 86'), Mokoena, Mofokeng, Mvala, Mbatha (Motlafi 67'), Nyembe, Sekola (Hoaseb 63'), Shalulile.

Chippa United: Akpeyi; Nthethe, Macheke, Nsabiyumva, Komane (Sangweni 72'), Malepe, Mayambela (Rakhale 60'), Gamildien (Manzini 68'), Tlolane, Klate, Lentjies.

Highlands Park will target all three Absa Premiership points when they host Chippa United at Makhulong Stadium on 6 October 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Highlands played to their fifth draw from seven league matches this season when they were held 0-0 at home by Kaizer Chiefs on October 2. The Tembisa-based side have won just once in the 2018/19 campaign.

The Lions of the North are unbeaten at home, however, with their stalemate against the Soweto giants added to by a 2-2 draw with Black Leopards and 2-1 win over Golden Arrows in August and September respectively.

Chippa are in fine form at present, with their 1-0 home win over Free State Stars on October 3 bringing them a haul of seven points from the last nine up for grabs.

The Chilli Boys, however, have yet to win away from home this season. They have recorded one draw and two defeats from three games on the road.

In head-to-head stats, Highlands and Chippa have met in just two previous top-flight league matches. Both encounters took place in the 2016/17 season, with the Chilli Boys winning 2-0 at home in the first half of the campaign, while the Lions of the North won 1-0 at home in the return game.

Highlands’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chiefs on October 2: Kapini, Sibande, Rae, Mokoena, Msimango, Mvala, Mbatha, Ramoraka, Shalulile, Motlafi (Nyembe 67’), Sekola (Haoseb 75’).

Chippa’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Stars on October 3: Akpeyi, Malepe, Nthethe, Macheke, Modisane, Komane, Lentjies (Manzini 71’), Mayambela, Gamildien (Sangweni 78’), Tlolane, Mbenyane (Rakhale 57’).