Mohsen Hamidi and Meysam Maniei scored to add to Mansour Tanhaei's first-half brace as Shahin moved on to eight points, two behind their visitors who remain level on points with leaders Esteghlal, in action against Foolad tomorrow.
Saba's second place will also be under threat tomorrow night when third-placed Teraktor Sazi host Shahrdari Tabriz.
Shahin moved above Sepahan, who went down 1-0 at home to Naft Tehran thanks to Iman Mousavi's 69th minute goal.
Zob-Ahan led three times at Malavan but had to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw as the hosts' final equaliser came in the last minute and completed Jalal Rafkhaei's hat-trick.
Payam Sadeghian's opening goal in the 22nd minute was cancelled out almost immediately but Miguel Hugo Machado scored on the stroke of half-time to send them in ahead. Rafkhaei levelled just before the hour mark, and would do so again at the death after Jose Marigo Igor's 74th minute goal.
Fajr Sepasi came from behind to beat Mes 2-1 away with Mohammed Reza Poumohammad bagging the winner two minutes from time. Barrios Leandro had put the hosts ahead in the 45th minute before Joukar Hamid levelled six minutes into the second half.
Javad Kazemian's hat-trick saw Persepolis cruise to a 3-1 win over Sanat Naft, who got a late consolation goal from Roohollah Arab.
Abbas Mohammad Rezaei's brace followed Karim Ansarifard's opener as Saipa enjoyed a 3-0 win over Damash.
Rah Ahan saw off Mes Sarcheshmeh 3-1 thanks to goals from Bahador Abdi, Omid Alishah and Hossein Kazemi, with Moslem Firoozabadi replying for the visitors.
