Home United continued their unbeaten start to the 2017 S.League campaign as Irfan Fandi struck shortly before the half-hour mark to hand them a 1-0 win over Balestier Khalsa in Tuesday night's clash at Bishan Stadium.

Irfan capitalised on an error by opposition keeper Zaiful Nizam to open the scoring in the 27th minute, and it looked like a routine victory was on the cards for the Protectors.

However, they were surprisingly lacklustre and had to endure a nervy end to the contest as they were unable to find a second goal for insurance.

The triumph saw Home climb up to second on the tablem and they remain firmly in title contention just two points behind leaders Albirex Niigata (S).

Still, Aidil Sharin will be warning his charges that they can ill afford a similarly flat display with a game against rivals Tampines Rovers coming up next.

Despite missing foreign stars Stipe Plazibat and Sirina Camara, Home still started the brighter of the sides on Tuesday.

They first threatened in the 14th minute when Christopher van Huizen's pacy shot was spilled but gathered at the second attempt by Zaiful. Then, Marijan Suto was well picked out by a Shamil Sharif cross six minutes later, yet failed to guide his header on target.

With the hosts enjoying a stranglehold on possession, Balestier failed to create any meaningful forays forward.

They had Home keeper Hassan Sunny briefly worried in the 25th minute when Shah Hirul's speculative attempt from inside the centre circle went narrowly over, landing on the roof of the net.

Nonetheless, the Protectors' persistence paid off three minutes before the half-hour mark when a rare mistake by the usually reliable Zaiful saw him spill a corner by Faris Ramli.

The ball fortuitously broke into the path of Irfan. The centre-back made no mistake in poking it over the line for his third goal of 2017 in all competitions.

Now with the lead in their grasp, Home would have been expected to grow in confidence and push on in a bid to kill off the contest. But they showed a surprising lack of creativity and initiative, undoubtedly missing the presence of 15-goal Plazibat up front.

Their inability to extend their advantage meant the Tigers were always in the contest.

Ten minutes after halftime, Aung Kyaw Naing beat the offside trap to race through before hurdling over the onrushing Hassan and falling over.

Balestier were convinced they had a penalty, although it looked as though Hassan might have withdrew his leg in time. Referee Taqi Jahari was of the same opinion.

As the game entered its closing stages, Home did have their opportunities to put the result beyond doubt.

First, Khairul Nizam did well to bring down a perfectly-weighted pass by Shamil on his chest, only to somehow fail to hit the target from six yards out in the 66th minute. Nine minutes later, Nizam and Faris combined well to carve out an opening for Van Huizen, but his delicate curling effort sailed just past the top corner.

Nonetheless, those misses mattered little as Balestier's failure to mount a comeback ensured the hosts took home the three points, although Aidil will be expecting much improvement from his side in the coming weeks.

Home United: Hassan Sunny, Shamil Sharif, Abdil Qaiyyim, Irfan Fandi, Sufianto Salleh (Juma'at Jantan 62'), Hariss Harun, Song Ui-young, Khairul Nizam (Haziq Azman 82'), Faris Ramli, Christopher van Huizen, Marijan Suto (Amiruldin Asraf 71')

Balestier Khalsa: Zaiful Nizam, Fadli Kamis, Sheikh Abdul Hadi, Ashrul Syafeeq, Ahmad Syahir, Shah Hirul, Kyaw Zayar Win (Danial Farhan Tan 74'), Huzaifah Aziz, Hazzuwan Halim, Aung Kyaw Naing (Jonathan Tan 82'), Hanafi Akbar (Nanda Lin Kyaw Chit 71')