Godknows Murwira capitalised on a blunder by Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda to score a 77th minute winner as Ngezi Platinum walked away from Barbourfields Stadium with a vital 2-1 victory in a Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League encounter on Sunday.
Ngezi were under pressure to secure all three points in order to remain on the coattails of log leaders FC Platinum, who had thrashed Mutare City 6-0 just 24 hours earlier.
And the clash in Bulawayo got off to an explosive start, with Michael Charamba handing the visitors a second minute lead only for Highlanders to pull level through Gabriel Nyoni two minutes later.
Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu had altered his line-up a little in search of a winning formula after managing just two wins in their previous seven matches.
The changes appeared to have some effect as midfielder Denzel Khumalo, making his first appearance of the season after spending the first-half of the year with the development side, particularly made an impression.
Both teams produced some phases of exciting football indeed, but as the contest looked headed for a stalemate, Bosso goalkeeper Sibanda conspired to let in a harmless looking free-kick from Murwira to send Ngezi back home with the spoils.
And what a relief it was for coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who could not afford another setback after the team's inexplicable collapse away to Mutare City last week, where they lost 1-0 to fall four points behind Platinum as the season enters the decisive last ten matches.
And as if to underline their superiority, Platinum handed the same Mutare City side which troubled Ngezi a comprehensive footballing lesson in a 6-0 drubbing on Saturday.
Reigning Player of the year Rodwell Chinyengetere helped himself to a hat-trick to take his season's tally to ten while fellow midfielder Edwin Madanhanga grabbed a double as Platinum posted the league's biggest winning margin of the season. Ali Sadiki netted the other goal for the miners.
Platinum have now won four of their last five matches to bounce back to form at just about the right time. The champions had initially struggled to shake off the rust following the midseason break, enduring a three match winless streak which saw their lead at the top whittle down to a single point.
In another match played Sunday, CAPS coach Lloyd Chitembwe was a relieved man after guiding his side to a 2-1 win over 10-men Nichrut.
Midfielder Wisdom Mutasa thrust CAPS ahead inside the opening minute after connecting with a Milton Ncube cross, and the former Zimbabwe left-back then created the second with another cross which was slammed home by substitute Hardlife Zvirekwi 13 minutes from time.
Nichrut, who lost striker Rodrick Mutuma after a second yellow card midway through the second-half, would only pull one back two minutes from time.
The weekend also saw Dynamos register a rare win on a visit to Bulawayo City, with problem child Denver Mukamba putting up a fine performance to guide the fallen giants to a 2-1 victory.
Dynamos players had spent virtually the entire week boycotting training over outstanding bonuses, and Saturday's victory ironically added another financial burden on the club's executive.
Mukamba first won the free-kick which resulted in the Dynamos opener on 19 minutes as Ocean Mushure resultant cross was slammed home by Quality Kangadze.
The former Warriors captain was then on the score-sheet himself five minute after the break, converting from close range off a Kuda Kumwala cross to double Dynamos' lead.
City, who had been reduced to ten men just before the break after a straight red card to Sipho Ndlovu for rough play, then pulled one back on the hour-mark but an equaliser just would not come.