Moroka Swallows saw a more determined Chippa United come from a goal down to win 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the Philippi Stadium on Wednesday night.
Bennett Chenene ensured that Swallows got off to the perfect start when he struck with a low drive from 18-yards out, profiting from some good work by Katlego Mashego.
Chippa’s early play was scrappy and disjointed and they found themselves pinned back into their own half for most of the opening 15 minutes.
But they were to get a lifeline back into the game after 28 minutes when from a free kick, Rudiger Gilbert picked out Mbulelo Mabizela, who powered home a header from 10-yards out.
Twelve minutes later and the Johannesburg side were again undone at a set-piece - Gilbert’s corner was flicked on at the near post, the ball falling to Msekeli Mvalo, who scored with a diving header.
The game remained open and fast-paced after the break with chances at both ends as Asavela Mbekile’s shot was saved by Greg Etafia and then Lerarto Chabangu’s pile-driver was pushed over the bar by Goldman, who followed that save with an even better one to deny Roger Da Costa scoring from a header.
Opportunities continued to arrive at both ends as Twala was denied by Etafia after Chippa defender Issa Sarr had saved his side with a fine challenge in his own box.
Chippa had another chance through Twala, but he elected instead of shooting to pass to Buyani Sali, whose shot was just over the bar.
But in the end, the Chilli Boys were able to play out the closing stages without too many problems as the Birds failed to create any decent goal chances.
The result leaves Chippa one point behind both Ajax and Black Leopards.
Chippa United (2) 2 (Mabizela 29’, Mvalo 40’)
Moroka Swallows (1) 1 (Chenene 3’)
Chippa: Goldman, Nthombayithethi, Gilbert, Mvalo, Mabizela, Issa, Twala, Sali, Mbenyane, Mbekile (Amegnaglo 69‘), Benjani (Qalanto 86’)
Swallows: Etafia, Isaacs, Da Costa, Lekgothoane, Khumalo (Nergadze 66‘), Chenene, Tsutsulupa, Cohen, Chabangu (Mathebula 67‘), Nomvethe, Mashego (Mabalane 60’) – Backpage Media