After coming off second best to Bloemfontein Celtic in their own backyard earlier this week after an eight-game unbeaten run, Rise and Shine delivered a much improved performance away from him to beat the Lions of the North.

The result sees Owen Da Gama’s side leapfrog Supersport United into fifth place on the log, while Highlands remain in eighth.

Things started well enough for the home side, who controlled most of the early possession and came close to opening the scoring when Peter Shalulile hit the crossbar with a crisp, curling shot.

So it was somewhat against the run of play when Polokwane took the lead on the half-hour mark thanks to a big blunder from Highlands defender Lesenya Ramoraka, who made a complete hash of trying to clear an attempted pass from Salulani Phiri, allowing Walter Musona to take full advantage and stroke the ball into the back of the net.

Highlands had their chances to equalise in the first half, including a spectacular bicycle kick attempt from Tendai Ndoro, but it ended 1-0 to the visitors at the break.

The hosts continued to enjoy most of the possession in the second stanza, but they also continued to trail on the scoreboard, and just as they did in the first half, Polokwane managed to grab another goal against the run of play to double their advantage.

It was a counter attack started by George Chigova that resulted in the goal, as Mohamed Anas carried the ball down the left flank before picking out Puleng Tlolane, who beat the defender with a dummy before firing past Marlon Heugh as he came off his line to try and make the save.

That left Highlands with just 15 minutes to try and find a way back into the game, but they were ultimately made to pay for their failure to convert any of their chances in front of goal as Maritzburg came away with the unlikely win.