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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates lost 1-0 to SuperSport United on Saturday night and in the process surrendered their place at the top of the table.
Defender and captain Morgan Gould headed in the winner in the 28th minute from a set piece taken by man-of-the-match midfielder Tebogo Langerman.
The loss does damage to Pirates' championship hopes with Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns also in the hunt, and with log leaders Ajax Cape Town having won on Friday.
With two rounds of matches left to play, the Buccaneers are second with 56 points and three points adrift of the Urban Warriors. The pressure will now be on them to ensure that they pick up six points in their remaining games.
United have now been unbeaten for six seasons away to Pirates with the victory improving the three-time successive league champion's chances of finishing the season in the top eight.
Pirates were mediocre in the fixture, and missed suspended regulars in captain Lucky Lekgwathi, goalkpeer Senzo Meyiwa and midfielder Isaac Chansa.
Up front, Chiukepo Msowoya and Ndumiso Mabena were ineffective and were duly replaced by Katlego Mashego and Mark Mayambela in the second-half.
Defender Rooi Mahamutsa had the side's first clear opportunity in the 38th minute when his header from a Dikgang Mabalane corner kick sailed over Rowen Fernandez's goal.
Winger Tlou Segolela attempted a shot outside the box and was pelted away by Fernandez but there were no players in the box to take advantage of the rebound.
Panicking signs were evident in the Pirates defence on the hour mark as Robyn Johannes' miscleared into Anthony Laffor's path, with the United striker finding the side netting.
Worse was still to come on attack in the 66th minute when an unmarked Mashego could not beat Fernandez who stuck out a fortunate hand, and then defender Happy Jele woefully shooting the rebound ball over the post.
United coach Gavin Hunt opted to assure his backline by bringing on Thabo September for striker Glen Salmon in hope of catching his opponents on quick breaks.
Pirates continued their late surge forward introducing lanky forward Bongani Ndulula for Mabalane and found two chances in succession from Mayambela and Segolela that went narrowly wide.
United winger Fikru Lamasse had an opportunity of finding the second for his team in the final minute when he broke away from a quick counter only to shoot agonisingly wide of goalkeeper Jacob Mokhasi's goal.
United now have 34 points after 28 matches.
Defender and captain Morgan Gould headed in the winner in the 28th minute from a set piece taken by man-of-the-match midfielder Tebogo Langerman.
The loss does damage to Pirates' championship hopes with Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns also in the hunt, and with log leaders Ajax Cape Town having won on Friday.
With two rounds of matches left to play, the Buccaneers are second with 56 points and three points adrift of the Urban Warriors. The pressure will now be on them to ensure that they pick up six points in their remaining games.
United have now been unbeaten for six seasons away to Pirates with the victory improving the three-time successive league champion's chances of finishing the season in the top eight.
Pirates were mediocre in the fixture, and missed suspended regulars in captain Lucky Lekgwathi, goalkpeer Senzo Meyiwa and midfielder Isaac Chansa.
Up front, Chiukepo Msowoya and Ndumiso Mabena were ineffective and were duly replaced by Katlego Mashego and Mark Mayambela in the second-half.
Defender Rooi Mahamutsa had the side's first clear opportunity in the 38th minute when his header from a Dikgang Mabalane corner kick sailed over Rowen Fernandez's goal.
Winger Tlou Segolela attempted a shot outside the box and was pelted away by Fernandez but there were no players in the box to take advantage of the rebound.
Panicking signs were evident in the Pirates defence on the hour mark as Robyn Johannes' miscleared into Anthony Laffor's path, with the United striker finding the side netting.
Worse was still to come on attack in the 66th minute when an unmarked Mashego could not beat Fernandez who stuck out a fortunate hand, and then defender Happy Jele woefully shooting the rebound ball over the post.
United coach Gavin Hunt opted to assure his backline by bringing on Thabo September for striker Glen Salmon in hope of catching his opponents on quick breaks.
Pirates continued their late surge forward introducing lanky forward Bongani Ndulula for Mabalane and found two chances in succession from Mayambela and Segolela that went narrowly wide.
United winger Fikru Lamasse had an opportunity of finding the second for his team in the final minute when he broke away from a quick counter only to shoot agonisingly wide of goalkeeper Jacob Mokhasi's goal.
United now have 34 points after 28 matches.
