Highlands Park are off to a great start in the promotion-relegation play-offs following their emphatic 3-0 win over Mbombela United at Kanyamazane Stadium yesterday.

The visitors were in front as early as the seventh minute when Rudi Isaacs applied a cool right-footed finish after the home side failed to defend a free kick.

Jose Garcia had another opportunity to extend their lead in the ninth minute but his free kick went straight into Thuto Xaba's hands.

A minute later, on the other end, Mbombela midfielder Siyethemba Mnguni failed to hit the target with a strike from distance as the ball went over the bar.

With half-time approaching, Mbombela went on the attack again and Bongani Ndhlovu's effort went inches wide.

Mbombela continued from where they left off as they pushed for an equaliser, but Mnguni wasted a chance a minute into the second half as his poor header was easily collected by Tapuwa Kapini.

The wind was taken out of Mbombela's sails in the 65th minute when Mothobi Mvala scored Highlands Park's second with a powerful header from a corner.

Mvala scored again in the 75th minute from a set piece, and Highlands Park are now in pole position and looking likely for promotion.

On Sunday, Mbombela have another difficult encounter when they play University of Pretoria at Tuks Stadium in the second match of the play-offs.