Sekhukhune United came from behind to defeat AmaZulu 4-2 in a thrilling Betway Premiership clash on Wednesday evening.
Celimpilo Ngema returned to replace Bongani Zungu before Etiosa Ighodaro led the line with Elmo Kambindu suspended, while Shaune Mogaila earned a start for Babina Noko.
Usuthu were up and running on four minutes when Ighodaro answered the recall to the eleven in style as he dispatched Riaan Hanamub's assist in the back of the net.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Keletso Makgalwa had a chance to level six minutes later with a curling shot from a cut-inside, but he slammed the woodwork.
Hard-running Tshepang Moremi looked to extend the visitors cushion a little later through a clever effort from the near side, but Badra Ali Sangare got behind it.
Mogaila made a telling impact in the midway stage when he set-up Andy Boyeli to grab the equaliser and registered his sixth league goal of the season too.
AmaZulu looked to restore the lead right after halftime through a cleverly worked effort from Ighodaro in the box, but Sangare made a stop.
Babina Noko, though, were more decisive up top and took the lead for the first time in the match through a firmly struck effort by Makgalwa.
The match became tense from this point on, with the visitors especially gunning for a response in their quest to regain the lead.
Renowned midfielder Zungu was thrown on from the bench in the closing stages and replaced Ngema as Usuthu continued to fashion a way to restoring ascendancy.
However, it was another substitute in Kambindu that impacted proceedings when he drew Usuthu level with a clever finish from Moremi's cross.
Babina Noko regained the lead when former Orlando Pirates man Linda Mntambo pounced on a decent passing move to find the net.
Mntambo wasn't done but got on the end of another delivery from Makgalwa to complete his brace and drew the clash to a close.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Tshibwabwa, Letlapa, Mokhuoane, Mkhize, Otladisa, Mohamme, Boyeli, Makgalwa, Mbule, Mogaila
Subs: Kazapua, Rammala, Mokoena, Cardoso, Mkhabela, Mncube, Ohizu, Mntambo, Ngakosso
AmaZulu: Ofori, Jooste, Fielies, Mphahlele, Hanamub, Motshwari, Ngema, Ekstein, Moremi, Ighodaro, Human
Subs: Mothwa, Brooks, Mthethwa, Ngobeni, Radebe, Zungu, Mbanjwa, Sithole, Kambindu