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Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town beat nine-man Chippa United 1-0 in their Absa Premiership clash at the Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday evening, to move out of the relegation zone and up to 13th spot on the log standings.
Thabo Mosadi's second goal in as many games against the Chilli Boys brought an end to the Cape club's winless run, while also halting the Eastern Cape outfit's unbeaten run in the league at 10 matches.
Zitha Macheke and Daniel Akpeyi saw red for Teboho Moloi's men in a hotly contested encounter in the City of Gold.
The Port Elizabeth-based club dropped to fourth as a result of the defeat.
The two teams traded early blows as they went in search of an early lead.
After Roscoe Pietersen guided his attempt narrowly wide for the Urban Warriors, Paseka Mako, Sizwe Mdlinzo and James Okwousa squandered chances for the visitors in a lively opening to the clash.
The game continued to ebb and flow and having successfully navigated through a spell of pressure, the hosts edged in front through Mosadi somewhat against the run of play.
Grant Margeman teeing up the wing-wizard who raced into the penalty area before firing an unstoppable right-footed rocket into the roof of the net on 27 minutes, 1-0.
The Urban Warriors went within inches of doubling their lead soon after, but Akpeyi pulled off a reflex save to deny Tashreeq Morris from point-blank range.
Things went from bad to worse for the Chilli Boys soon after as Macheke received his marching orders for a reckless challenge on Mosadi. The referee left with little choice but to brandish the red card.
Chippa United a goal and man down at the interval.
The Chilli Boys weren't content on sitting back and settling for defeat with Moloi introducing no fewer than three attackers off the bench before the hour mark.
As a result, Ajax Cape Town sat back and tried to find the killer blow on the counter-attack, but were let down by poor finishing.
Sedwyn George squandered successive chances for the hosts after he replaced Bantu Mzwakali in the 71st minute, with last season's National First Division golden boot winner low on confidence.
With Chippa United throwing everything but the kitchen sink in attack, they were finally caught on the break as Mosadi burst forward. The attacker looked sure to score, but Akpeyi stopped him in his tracks with a rugby-like tackle.
The Nigerian duly receiving his marching orders in the final minute of stoppage-time as Ajax Cape Town claimed all three points.
