Cape Town - There were goals aplenty as Cape Town City managed to hold on for a thrilling 3-2 win over a brave Maritzburg United outfit at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

The victory moved Benni McCarthy's City side up into third place in the Absa Premiership table above Orlando Pirates - albeit level on points - while the loss leaves the Team of Choice mired at the bottom of the log.

City made the better start to the match and were duly rewarded with the lead in just the eighth minute when Thami Mkhize found himself in the right place to head home after Gift Links had sent in the corner.

And they could easily have been 2-0 up six minutes later when Links found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat after being set up by Kermit Erasmus, but the midfielder couldn't find the target.

City were doing enough to hold Maritzburg at bay, however, even if chances weren't coming thick and fast at the other end, and they headed into the half-time break 1-0 up.

Somewhat against the run of play, however, the visitors drew level shortly after the hour-mark when Mxolisi Kunene beat Mkhize for pace and smashed the ball past Peter Leeuwenburgh and into the net with his left foot.

That parity didn't last long, however, as Links made up for his earlier miss by putting them back in front on 71 minutes after some good work down the left opened up the Maritzburg defence.

And victory seemed all but secure 10 minutes later when Riyaad Norodien made it 3-1 when he providing the finishing touch following another assist from Links.

But Maritzburg would once again reduce the deficit to a single goal just two minutes later when Fortune Makaringe bundled the ball in at the near post after a low cross came flying into the box.

That led to some nervous moments for the home side, but in the end City held on to secure all three points and pick up their third league win in four matches.