Sekhukhune United finished the year on a high in the Betway Premiership following a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants FC on Saturday evening.
On-loan Sipho Mbule, Keletso Makgalwa, Thabang Monare and Daniel Cardoso set out the home side's stall as the visitors seek redemption from the 8-1 capitulation at Orlando Pirates.
The plight nearly worsened as the host fashioned the lead on four minutes with forward Andy Boyeli from Makgalwa's delivery, but guided off the mark.
Makgalwa looked to go on himself eight minutes later when he came in on the left of the box and released off Monare's delivery, but Washington Arubi made a stop.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa weren't posing a great deal of pressure but had the host come close again just minutes later with Boyeli going wide from close-range after meeting a cross.
However, a late surge by the men from the Free State threw numbers forward came when the pacey Thapelo Dhludhlu nodded a pin-point from the six-yard area narrowly off the bottom-corner.
Dhludhlu remained problematic over five minutes in the second half and snapped his lines again from this time a delivery by Monde Mphambaniso.
The chances didn't stop there as the self-same Dhludhlu switched roles and got on the right to play in a cross for Kenneth Nthatheni to go on the head, but he missed goal.
On the other hand, Lehlohonolo Seema revived his playing personnel playing in the attacking sense and introduced Linda Mntambo in place of Mbule.
Babina Noko found the opening against the run of play when Makgalwa and substitute Mntambo combined to give the opposite number Arubi no chance.
The advantage strengthened Babina Noko's overall control and from then on were in complete authority with Marumo not posing too much of a threat.
In the end, the points went all the way to the home side who finished the year on a positive note as Gallants suffer yet another loss.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Tshibwabwa, Mkhabela, Cardoso, Letalapa, Monare, Mbule, Mkhize, Makgalwa, Boyeli, Mokoena
Subs: Kazapua, Mntambo, Carnell, Mohammed, Mokhouane, Kapinga, Vandala, Sithole, Ohizu
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Sikhosana, Nthatheni, Chabatsane, Manaka, Prins, Mphambaniso, Khumalo, Nemtajela, Mhango, Dhludhlu.