Bloemfontein - Free State Stars beat  10-man Ajax Cape Town 1-0 thanks to an Edward Mnqele goal at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in an Absa Premiership match on Wednesday evening.

The drama was to hit quick and hard for Ajax as Keamogetse Wolff was shown an instant red card for foul language, leaving the Cape Town outfit having to fend with 10 men for 82 minutes.

The result of the dismissal saw Aiden Jenniker brought on for Brent Carelse in the 15th minute, a sacrifice which had to be made by Ajax to ensure extra cover at the back.

The sending off resulted in a rattled defence for the Urban Warriors, as Edward Mnqele should have made it 1-0 when he ran through three defenders but his acute shot was palmed over by Westerveld.

On 33 minutes Mzikayise Mashaba slotted through a ball to Mnqele, who neatly tucked the ball into the back of the net to put his side in the lead.

The restart brought about no changes and it was the Dutch ‘keeper who had to make a low diving save off a Katlego Mashego shot.

The 57th minutes saw Alexander Cole and George Akapbio brought on for George Maluleka and Lebogang Manyama, while the hour mark saw Mpho Makola make way for Tshidiso Mosikidi.

Despite being down to ten men for the majority of the game, the Urban Warriors’ defence managed to hold back the Free State Stars attack.

The 2012 African Cup of Nations champions’ Noah Chivuta was called on to the field 20 minutes from time, replacing Dove Wome.

A late Khama Billiant effort was not enough to secure his side a late equaliser as it went wide of goal.

Stars are up to fifth on the log on 35 points, while Ajax remain in seventh on 31.