Cape Town - Baroka FC secured a valuable three points in their battle for Absa Premiership survival as they beat Maritzburg United 2-1 in Polokwane.
Ethen Sampson and Judas Mosemaedi scored on either side of half-time to leave matters all square until Tshediso Patjie's 89th-minute goal handed Baroka the well-deserved victory in Sunday's only Premiership fixture.
The result lifts Wedson Nyirenda's side three points clear of the drop zone and up to 13th place, while Maritzburg snap a seven-game unbeaten streak in the league to remain in sixth.
Maritzburg nearly took the lead inside 15 minutes when Mxolisi Kunene had a chance to score at the far post, but Baroka keeper Elvis Chipezeze was able to neutralise the threat.
The home side had a golden chance to go in front on 26 minutes when Gerald Phiri Junior delivered a perfect cross into the box for Ranga Chivaviro, but the striker couldn't find the target with his header.
Baroka took the lead on the stroke of half-time when debutant Ethen Sampson managed to bundle in a loose ball after the visitors failed to deal with an incoming corner.
Their lead would last just four minutes of the second half, however, when Judas Moseamedi beat Chipezeze to a looping ball and headed into an open net to level the scores.
Baroka looked to respond immediately and forced Maritzburg keeper Richard Ofori into action as Sbonelo Ngubane and Kgosto Maloka both peppered the goal.
Wedson Nyirenda brought Tshidiso Patjie on in the 80th minute and the decision would prove to be a masterstroke for Baroka when the midfielder latched on to a long ball and fired it into the back of the net with just one minute of regulation time remaining.
Maritzburg came close to grabbing a share of the spoils when Rushine De Reuck directed a late header goalwards, but Ayanda Dlamini - who had come on the field in the second half for Chipezeze following a collision - came up with an acrobatic save to deny the defender and secure all three points for Baroka.
- TeamTalk Media