Ocean Mushure scored a stunning goal as Dynamos made it five wins in a row, dismissing Yadah FC 2-0 in a lively Zimbabwe Premier League encounter on Sunday.
Former champions Dynamos had made their way to Rufaro Stadium fully aware that nothing short of victory would suffice given that their title rivals had collected maximum points in their respective matches. And the pressure appeared to tell as Lloyd Mutasa's team spurned several scoring opportunities early own.
It was left to skipper Mushure to calm the nerves moments before the break with a superb effort from the edge of the box after some fine work from 21-year-old midfielder Cleopas Kapupurike.
Mushure, a natural left-back, has reinvented himself as an attacking midfielder since filling the role for Zimbabwe at the recent Cosafa tournament, and he has since become a viable outlet up-front for Dynamos with six goals to date.
Yadah, looking to stay clear of the relegation places, were a rejuvenated side after the restart, only to find Dynamos goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga in fine form. The top-flight debutants were then punished for some sloppy defending as Cameroonian marksman Christian Epoupa scrambled the ball home from close range for his ninth of the campaign.
Dynamos reclaimed third place in the standings following Sunday's win to remain in the thick of things as a potentially pulsating title race nears the home stretch.
In other matches played on Sunday, troubled How Mine recovered from the 6-0 midweek humiliation at the hands of Dynamos to beat Bantu Rovers 3-1 at Barbourfields Stadium.
Most of the How Mine regulars who had boycotted the Dynamos match were back in the starting line-up, but it was not until after the break that the gold miners found the breakthrough their dominance deserved. Goalkeeper Tichaona Diya put them ahead from the penalty spot five minutes after the restart and substitute Toto Banda doubled the lead on the hour-mark.
Bantu managed to pull one back through Remington Masuku 13 minutes from time, but a 16th defeat in 22 matches was inevitable for the bottom-placed outfit as Tsepo Ranthokoana made it three late on for How Mine.
Taurai Mangwiro's Triangle, meanwhile, registered a vital 3-1 win over Bulawayo City to press their case for a top eight finish with 11 matches remaining. The sugar cane farmers, in ninth place with 31 points from 23 matches, surged ahead as early as the seventh minute when former Dynamos forward Russell Madamombe converted from inside the box.
Second-half strikes from Ralph Kawondera and Lameck Nhamo then made victory certain, with City managing a late consolation through teenage forward Clive Rupiya.
Thabani Moyo scored a late winner as Tsholostho continued their revival after downing Shabanie Mine 2-1 at Luveve. Tsholostho, who had not registered a win all season before Wednesday's 1-0 upset of giants Highlanders, seized the lead in the first minute when Marion Chang scored from the penalty spot. Wilson Mupasiri levelled almost immediately for Shabanie and it was left to Moyo to intervene and make it two straight wins for Tsholotsho, who remain second-bottom with 15 points from 23 matches.