Cape Town - Free State Stars greatly eased their relegation worries as they thrashed AmaZulu 4-1 in Saturday's Premiership clash at Goble Park.

The hosts raced into an early lead as Martin Kizza fired on goal following a chaotic goalmouth scramble, and his strike went beneath the legs of goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha.

It was nearly 2-0 in the 20th minute when good work from Sinethemba Jantjie saw Mpho Khabane set free but he struck over the bar wildly.

It remained tight until the break but in the second stanza Stars again came close to a second. Eleazar Rodgers' back-heel found Jantjie in space and his cross picked out Katlego Mokhuoane.

However, his effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Sibusiso Mabiliso in the 54th minute. Yet, eight minutes later it was 2-0 as Nyiko Mobbie found Mokhuoane and he curled home brilliantly beyond a diving Mbatha.

Largely against the run of play, Talent Chawapiwa pulled one back not long afterwards yet it was a brief respite for the away outfit.

The Lively Rodgers was brought down in the penalty area and he dusted himself off to convert the spot-kick beyond Sadat Ouro-Akoriko.

Usuthu pushed forward in pursuit of trying to get back into the game but were undone on the break. The excellent Mobbie found Harris Tchilimbou deep into stoppage time who tapped home from close range.