Platinum Stars looked to have turned the corner after a bad start to the Absa Premiership season, notching their biggest win thus far when they defeated BidVest Wits 3-1 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.

Stars' victory comes after they held defending Premiership champions SuperSport United to a 1-1 away draw at the Super Stadium on Wednesday to start climbing up the table.

Stars took the lead at the half-time mark after an evenly fought first 45 minutes when Namibian international striker Henrico Botes slammed home a pass from Almiro Lobo.

But the Students created the most chances against a side who are struggling to find their form in front of goal. Botes' goal was Stars' eighth in 14 matches but after the draw against United, Stars coach Steve Komphela will be able to relax a little easier with the FIFA international break coming up next week.

Wits' Rene Richard created two chances early in the half. The first in the 15th minute sailed over the crossbar and the second five minutes later forced a save from goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini.

Kapini pulled off two saves within a minute in the 25th minute from Sifiso Myeni and just before the break Sibusiso Vilakazi headed a Richard cross over Stars' crossbar.

But Stars got their break and Botes scored his side's vital goal giving the home side an important psychological breakthrough seconds before the half-time whistle.

Wits midfielder Mark Haskins shot over the crossbar in the 51st minute as the visitors searched for the equaliser, while Stars' Coldrin Coetzee was wide of the woodwork with a shot in the 62nd minute.

Kapini did well to stop another shot from Richards four minutes later.

Stars went 2-0 ahead in the 78th minute when Botes got his second goal of the game after he collected a great ball from teammate Mbulelo 'OJ' Mabizela.

Two minutes later Vilakazi scored for the Clever Boys to make it 2-1, but with time running out Stars' Colombian striker, Luis Renteria, hammered home a Dillon Sheppard cross to make it 3-1 in the 87th minute.

Sapa

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