Cape Town - Highlands Park moved into the top eight in the Absa Premiership standings after they beat Maritzburg United 1-0 at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday.

Peter Shalulile scored with 13 minutes remaining as the Lions of North deepened Maritzburg's relegation woes.

The Team of Choice's battle to avoid the drop looks increasing like a futile attempt as they stay bottom of the table, four points adrift of Free State Stars with four games remaining.

After a rather cagey start by both teams, it was the KZN side that created the first chance when Pagiso Sanoka had his header cleared off the line.

After the half-hour mark, the Lions of the North should have taken the lead but Sello Motsepe fired wide from close-range.

Sanoka had another opportunity close to the halftime interval but he hit the roof of the net.

The contest remained tight after the break with both sides intent on keeping a clean sheet.

Shalulile should have broken the deadlock when he did well to hold off two defenders but he missed from five meters out.

The forward however made amends on 77 minutes when he took advantage of some poor communication in the Maritzburg defence to slot home.

Highlands saw the game out to collect maximum points as Maritzburg slumped to their 14th defeat in 26 games.