TAIL-ENDERS Black Leopards relegation woes continued last night when they suffered a 4-2 defeat away to Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban last night.

Dillon Sheppard, Collins Mbesuma, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Philane Shange scored the four goals for Arrows, while skipper Mongezi Bobe and Luyolo Mapolisa netted for Leopards.

Leopards travelled to Zimbabwe to take on Motor Action in the CAF Confederations Cup at the weekend and the trip might have taken its toll on the players. They beat Action 2-0.

The club remains rooted to the bottom of the league table after 18 games with 11 points, just one behind Jomo Cosmos who are one spot above them.

Arrows coach Muhsin Ertugral can take a breather thanks to the maximum points.

With 12 games still to be played in the Absa Premiership League, Arrows are not out of the relegation dog fight just yet, but a victory against Leopards is one step close to being safe.

In the Nedbank Cup, Platinum Stars and Santos have booked themselves a place in the last-16 round.

Stars hammered Limpopo Safa Vodacom League side Dolphins 5-0 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng last night.

Namibian international Henrico Botes was the hero of the match after scoring a hat-trick against the team coached by former Mahwelereng Real Rovers goalkeeper.

The other two goals for the North West outfit were scored by former Bafana Bafana defender Vuyo Mere and Mduduzi Nyanda

In Cape Town, Santos eliminated National First Division log leaders University of Pretoria 1-0 at Athlone Stadium last night.

Tyren Arendse scored the only goal of the match against the club that won a silver medal in 2009 after losing 1-0 to Moroka Swallows in a final match.

AmaTuks general manager Kenneth Neluvhalani said: "It is unfortunate we are out, but the defeat will help us channel our energies into the league.

"We want to see ourselves playing in the Absa Premiership next season."