Golden Arrows strengthened their bid for MTN8 football after edging Nedbank Cup finalists Durban City 1-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, 11 April.
Isaac Cisse's third goal of the season settled the KZN derby in the 37th minute as Manqoba Mngqithi's side went three points clear of Stellenbosch in eighth position, albeit having played one game more.
The Citizens have now lost three of their last five matches in the Betway Premiership and find themselves four points adrift of the Caf Confederation Cup berth in sixth spot.
Both teams were looking to bounce back from defeats, with Arrows being demolished 5-0 by Orlando Pirates in midweek and City narrowly losing 1-0 to league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The first half was evenly contested, but it was the hosts who just sneaked ahead eight minutes before halftime when Nhlanhla Gasa's low cross from the right was turned home by Cisse.
The Ivorian striker threatened again soon afterwards with a long-range effort that failed to test Darren Keet.
Second-half substitute Luphumlo Sifumba came close to equalising after the restart when his free-kick from the edge of the box grazed the top of the net.
Keet kept the visitors in the derby with a good save to deny Sabelo Sithole from close range on 80 minutes after the substitute found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Sithole then drew another save out of Keet a few minutes later after slicing his way through the defence and firing a shot towards the near post.
Golden Arrows (1) 1 (Cisse 37')
Durban City 0
Golden Arrows: E. Maova, K. Shezi, A. Jiyane, N. Mabaso, O. Maluleke, N. Zwane, N. Dlamini (N. Msomi 67'), K. Thokozani (L. Nguse 61'), N. Gasa (S. Sithole 60'), I. Cisse (D. Lukhele 60'), J. Dion (O. Comara 71').
Durban City: D. Keet, E. Jalai, S. Ncanana, L. De Kock (J. Lwamba 46'), T. Mashego (L. Koapeng 80'), K. Jurgens, F. Gcaba, T. Nodada, S. Magawana (H. Domingo 85'), S. Maseko (L. Sifumba 46'), B. Mokwena (B. Mthembu 61').