Black Leopards have been beaten 1-0 by visiting Platinum Stars in their Absa Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.

The game had been under threat 30 minutes in when a violent hail storm forced the players from the pitch, by which time Stars were already 1-0 up through Henrico Botes.

But the game was able to continue and Dikwena’s excellent recent form that has now seen them take 13 points from the last 15 available continued as they climbed up to third in the Absa Premiership table.

Stars started the brighter and were ahead inside six minutes. Vuyo Mere’s cross was converted by Botes, his second of the season.

There followed shots at either end from Mahlatse Maake for Leopards and Mogakolodi Ngele for Stars, but both efforts drifted wide.

A ferocious hail storm sent the players scuttling from the field just past the half-hour mark and will have instilled a sense of déjà vu in Lidoda Duvha, who have already had one match abandoned this season due to hail against Kaizer Chiefs.

It was touch and go whether the play would be able to resume, but mercifully the weather lifted and they were able to get back on the park.

Soon after the restart of player, Mongezi Bobe crashed a free-kick against the crossbar as Stars rode their luck a little for the remainder of the half.

The second period was a disappointment, with neither side able to create much in front of goal.

Siyabonga Mpontshane made a fine stop from Raymond Monama and that was as good as it got for Leopards.

New coach Ian Palmer will have plenty to think about as he plots a way to move Lidoda Duvha away from the relegation zone. His next assignment will be away at Ajax Cape Town on Sunday, while Stars are at home to Bidvest Wits the day before.

Black Leopards 0

Platinum Stars (1) 1 (Botes 7’)

Leopards: Omony, Dzaga, Sithole, Nyirenda, Kwena (Kwena 68’), Mabunda, Maake (Sangweni 46’), Ramagalela (Manaka 77’), Bobe, Monama, Nkambule

Stars: Mpontshane, Mere, Gumede, Mhlongo, Ngwepe, Phala, Tshabalala (Mathe 80’), Msomi, Botes (Malokase 90’), Ngele (Ng’ambi 64’)

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