HIGHLANDERS captain Eric “Tsiba” Mudzingwa feels Rusape based referee Brighton Chimene’s decision to award Harare City a penalty at Rufaro on Thursday afternoon was a bit harsh.

Chimene adjudged that Mudzingwa handled in an attempt to clear the ball in the second half but the Bosso skipper said the ball hit his abdomen and not his hand.

It was a case of poetic justice as City linkman William Manondo’s spot kick was expertly saved by Ariel Sibanda and Highlanders hung on to clinch a crucial 1-0 win.

Former FC Platinum and Caps United play maker Allan Gahadzikwa headed home the winner.

“That was very harsh, it wasn’t a penalty; I never handled the ball at all. I do not know how the referee saw it that way.

“Anyway, what is important is that we won the game and we are still in the hunt for the league title,” said Mudzingwa.

Bosso moved to 44 points, four shy of log leaders FC Platinum who have a banana skin tie against Dynamos at Mandava on Saturday.

“We are going back to the drawing board and improve on some areas. If we win all of our remaining matches we should have a say,” said Mudzingwa.

Highlanders face Ngezi Platinum Stars at Barbourfields on Sunday.

In other matches played across the venues, Chicken Inn beat Mutare City 2-0 at White City while How Mine also won against Hwange by the same score line at Luveve.