Free State Stars won their first game on the road this season, courtesy of a lone goal from Robert Sankara which was enough to see off the University of Pretoria in an Absa Premiership clash in Pretoria on Wednesday night.

Sankara broke the deadlock with less than 20 minutes left to play, leaving a mountain to climb for Tuks, who fell short of claiming their second successive win and their first on home soil.

A tentative start saw little in the way of chances for either side and Stars had to wait for the 27th minute for Moeketsi Sekola to test Tuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who made a good stop to deny the winger's right boot.

Sekola then had Stars’ best chance of the first half on 40 minutes when he blasted a free-kick from 35 yards out towards the top corner, but Arubi once again made a superb diving save to keep out the stunning effort.

That was to be all for the first half as the pair went into the break goalless and struggling to make any real impact.

Stars' tenacity was eventually rewarded when Sankara nodded home from a corner to gift Stars the lead with 15 minutes left to play.

Having grabbed the lead, Stars simply sat back and absorbed much of the pressure and saw out the last 10 minutes, looking content to grab the lead and head off with maximum points.

University of Pretoria 0

University of Pretoria: Arubi, Kekana, Monyai, Shoyisa, Jaure, Mukamba (Mosadi 46'), Ketjijere, Matsi (Zwane 61'), Ntombiayithethi, Nyondo, Massa

Free State Stars: Mtshali, Angula, Sankara, Shabalala, Letuka, Mashego, Mdluli, Masehe, Sekola, Bester (Makhaula 80'), Kali (Moloi 58')