A goal by Surprise Moriri helped Highlands Park secure a 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United at the Makhulong Stadium on Sunday.

Maritzburg United were threatening early on and they seemed to be the likeliest team to open the scoring in the opening exchanges of the match.

Evans Rusike came close to scoring in the eighth minute, but his effort from just outside the box went narrowly wide of the target.

Charlton Mashumba had a golden opportunity in the 22nd minute when a pass fell to him in the middle of the goals from point blank range, but Virgil Vries did well to save from close range.

However, a minute later Surprise Moriri opened the scoring with his header that found the back of the net from the resulting corner to make it 1-0.

Mashumba almost doubled his side’s lead in the 44th minute, but his half-volley from outside the box was  well saved by Vries.

The players went into the interval with Highlands Park leading Maritzburg United by 1-0.

In the 72nd minute Kwanda Mngonyama hit a right footed shot from just outside the box after a great run from the centre, but his curling effort went inches wide of the target.

However, Gordon Igesund’s side managed to hold on to their 1-0 lead until the final whistle to claim all three points.