Relegation-threatened Marumo Gallants FC picked up vital a 3-1 victory over Royal AM in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday evening.
There were wholesale changes instituted by the host, while Royal AM re-called Kabelo Mahlasela, Tebogo Potsane and Ruzaigh Gamildien from their heavy loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Gallants were ahead on ten minutes as Lesiba Nku nudged one challenge in the area through a smart cutback and opened an angle to fire in the bottom-corner.
Thwihli Thwahla could have gone level with their first shot in anger near the half-hour mark, but Gamildien blazed way over from a tight angle following a reverse pass by Mthokozisi Dube.
Royal AM pushed again on the stroke of halftime and a fierce shot from the edge of the area by Potsane off a loose ball drew sharp reflexes off goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
The visitors were close again just after the break when Elias Pelembe nodded a guilt-edge opening from close-range over the top, with Lantshene Phalane and Shadrack Kobedi in from the substitutes bench.
Marumo managed to break on the counter-attack and a three-on-three attack resulted in a strong shot from range by Celimpilo Ngema which Xolani Ngcobo parried before Nku headed the follow-up wide.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa continued to unsettle the visiting team moments to the closing quarter and worked more chances in crucial areas, but Nku particularly failed to capitalise.
With visitors growing in confidence, the equaliser followed five minutes from time after substitute Mfundo Thikazi drilled a free-kick from edge of the area into the top corner.
Gallants regained the lead though with two minutes to go when Cheick Bamba Soumaro charged in from the left of the area and slammed a through pass in at the near post.
Tampers from the benches boiled over in the dying seconds which had two players from Gallants in Edgar Manaka and Sibusiso Sibeko dismissed.
Gallants still confirmed victory as Mahlatse Makudubela ran in from the right following a ball in the channels and drilled in the far corner to see out the clash.
Confirmed line ups:
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Gumede, Mvelase, Nku, Toure, Mabotja, Mohomi, Sibeko, Otladisa, Ngema, Koapeng
Subs: Ngcobo, Makudubela, Nkosi, Soumaro, Thangwane, Pheko, Manaka, Moseamedi.
Royal AM: Ngcobo, Matlaba, Dube, Manganyi, Mahlasela, Pelembe, Lingwati, Kobedi, Potsane, Mashiane, Gamildien
Subs: Mpoto, Macuphu, Rikhotso, George, Cele, Thikazi, Sikakane, Msomi, Phalane
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