Mbombela shock wasteful AmaTuks

Cape Town - Mbombela United pulled off a shock 1-0 win over the University of Pretoria in the second NFD promotional play-off fixture at the Tuks Stadium on Sunday.

Shaun Bartlett's men started the game with real intent and hit the woodwork as early as the fifth minute after some great work from Mpho Maruping and Khethukuthula Zwane in a short-corner routine.

The latter whipped in a great cross for Vuyisile Ntombayithethi, who saw his thumping header hit the underside of the crossbar.

The visitors, clearly shocked by the blistering start, gathered themselves and nearly took the lead but Coetsee did well to smother a shot from Lebohang Maboe at point-blank range.

The miss wasn't too costly as the NDF outfit finally broke the deadlock moments before the break when Gumede found the back of the net from six yards out after a great Lebohang Maboe delivery.

Maruping and Thabo Mnyamane had great early chances to equalise for AmaTuks but it seemed as if it wasn't to be as they both struck the woodwork.

The home team were, however, handed a lifeline 10 minutes from time when Mbombela defender Mayongo was sent off for a second bookable offence after tugging the shirt of Getaneh Kebede.

AmaTuks failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and went on to concede a late penalty after Luyanda Bacela had brought down the tricky Phetolo Sekome. 

Coetsee, though, pulled off an excellent reflex save from Shongwe's penalty to give AmaTuks hope of surviving the drop.