Highlands Park continued their winning run in the Absa Premiership with a 2-0 victory over second-place Polokwane City on Sunday afternoon.
George Chigova returned for City, while Lesenya Ramoraka and Spiwe Msimango were the home side's two changes from the win at Baroka FC.
Rise and Shine pushed for an early opener after finding space behind the opposition defence, but efforts from Salulani Phiri and Edgar Manaka failed to bother Highlands goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni.
The Lions of the North seized authority at the midway point as Mothobi Mvala caught Chigova napping to side-foot into an empty net following a flick-on from Peter Shalulile.
Rise and Shine almost grabbed the equaliser minutes to halftime, but Ngobeni denied Sibusiso Mbonani at the back post.
The Limpopo outfit started with purposeful intent in the second half, bringing on Walter Musona for Sibusiso Hlubi at halftime. Puleng Tlolane had the ball in the back of the net after bringing down a long ball in the area from the far side after 59 minutes, but the effort was ruled offside.
The home side nearly doubled their tally from the counterattack 20 minutes from time as Mokeke Mogaila put on the after-burners before firing across goal from a tight angle.
However, Shalulile put the match beyond doubt a minute into time added on as he fired into the top corner after picking up a loose ball from outside the area to seal the win. The defeat comes as a blow to City, who missed the chance to keep track with the league leaders Kaizer Chiefs as Highlands go fifth.
Teams:
Highlands: Ngobeni, Mokoena, Munyai, Msimango, Rae, Ramoraka, Mahlangu, Mbatha, Shalulile, Mvala, Mogaila.
Subs: Heugh, Fransman, Letsholonyane, Mkhabela, Jooste, Motlafi, Nyembe.
Polokwane: Chigova, Mbonani, Phiri, Buthelezi, Motloung, J. Maluleke, Mvelase, Hlubi, Manaka, Tlolane, Anas.
Subs: Nku, Chauke, Chibwe, W.Maluleke, Nthatheni, Musona, Hlongwane.