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Johannesburg - A brace from Mame Niang was not enough to give The University of Pretoria all three points in their Absa Premiership match against Moroka Swallows on Friday night.
Instead, a goal eight minutes from time by Mpho Maruping sealed their second victory in the top flight as Tuks beat the Dube Birds 3-2 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
The visitors certainly started the better side and were a little unlucky not to take the lead in only the second minute of the match as Niang fired centimetres wide from 20-yards out.
Niang, though, would not have to wait long to find his first goal of the night when he headed home a Lionel Mutizwa cross in the tenth minute.
Swallows defence has been a sore point early on in the season and their slack marking in the first half allowed Niang to score twice, both times winning aerial battles to do so.
But the Tuks man did not find his second goal before Katlego Masehgo levelled matters in the 21st minute, turning home a Lerato Chabangu cross, 1-1.
Still, Swallows joy was shorted lived in the first half as the PSL rookies outclassed them in the air for a second time six minutes before the break.
Again Niang was on hand to rise above his marker to powerful head the ball into the back of the net for a second time, 2-1.
The second half saw the home side playing better football, but for all their possession Swallows struggled to create a decent opportunity in front of goal.
Cue Mpho Maleka in the 78th minute who let rip from just outside the box. The Tuks keeper, however, was up to the challenge making a fantastic save.
Sadly for the visitors, though, he parried the ball straight into the path of Bennett Chenene who tapped home from close range to level matters for the second time, 2-2.
But the Achilles heel of this Swallows team struck again in the 82nd minute when some sloppy defending allowed Mpho Maruping to find some space inside the 18-yard box and he made no mistake, slotting the ball home to give his side the lead for the third time, 3-2.
It was a lead the Tuks side would not give up as they picked up their second three pointer of the season and remain unbeaten in the PSL this season.
Instead, a goal eight minutes from time by Mpho Maruping sealed their second victory in the top flight as Tuks beat the Dube Birds 3-2 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
The visitors certainly started the better side and were a little unlucky not to take the lead in only the second minute of the match as Niang fired centimetres wide from 20-yards out.
Niang, though, would not have to wait long to find his first goal of the night when he headed home a Lionel Mutizwa cross in the tenth minute.
Swallows defence has been a sore point early on in the season and their slack marking in the first half allowed Niang to score twice, both times winning aerial battles to do so.
But the Tuks man did not find his second goal before Katlego Masehgo levelled matters in the 21st minute, turning home a Lerato Chabangu cross, 1-1.
Still, Swallows joy was shorted lived in the first half as the PSL rookies outclassed them in the air for a second time six minutes before the break.
Again Niang was on hand to rise above his marker to powerful head the ball into the back of the net for a second time, 2-1.
The second half saw the home side playing better football, but for all their possession Swallows struggled to create a decent opportunity in front of goal.
Cue Mpho Maleka in the 78th minute who let rip from just outside the box. The Tuks keeper, however, was up to the challenge making a fantastic save.
Sadly for the visitors, though, he parried the ball straight into the path of Bennett Chenene who tapped home from close range to level matters for the second time, 2-2.
But the Achilles heel of this Swallows team struck again in the 82nd minute when some sloppy defending allowed Mpho Maruping to find some space inside the 18-yard box and he made no mistake, slotting the ball home to give his side the lead for the third time, 3-2.
It was a lead the Tuks side would not give up as they picked up their second three pointer of the season and remain unbeaten in the PSL this season.
