Swallows maintained their unbeaten start to the 2020/21 DStv Premiership season with an exciting 3-2 victory over Cape Town City on Tuesday.
Ruzaigh Gamildien scored a quick-fire first-half brace, with a well-taken penalty on 39 minutes followed up by a 41st minute tap-in.
Mduduzi Mdantsane reduced the deficit from the penalty spot on 54 minutes before Swallows substitute Junaid Sait scored a superb header to seemingly kill off the tie.
But Mdantsane (90+3') headed home late on to ensure a nervy finish for Swallows - amid a red card for each side.
The result saw Swallows move level with league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the standings on 21 points, with City in fourth place on 15 points.
Swallows were in with the first chance of the tie on eight minutes as Surprise Ralani looked to play a square pass in the box after being set through on goal by Gamildien, only for the ball to deflect into the grateful arms of city stopper Peter Leeuwenburgh.
Thabo Matlaba then fired over the City goal following an exciting, flowing attacking move from the in-form Swallows.
Abbubaker Mobara tried his luck with a 17th minute free-kick that was well off the mark at the other end.
Ioannis Potouridis did well to stop Lebohang Mokoena from putting a dangerous ball into the City box before a superb block from Wandisile Letlabika denied Mobara - while Given Thibedi couldn't keep his shot on target following some more dangerous attacking play from the hosts on 25 minutes.
Tashreeq Morris acrobatically fired over from inside the Swallows area as City tried to turn the possession they were enjoying into chances, but it was the Dube Birds who took the lead.
Gamildien netted a 39th minute penalty into the bottom left corner of the net after he had been fouled by Taariq Fielies.
Gamildien really should have made it two after being played through with an exquisite ball from Matlaba only to fire straight at an advancing Leeuwenburgh.
Gamildien made no mistake a minute later though with a simple tap in after an excellent square pass from Kgaogelo Sekgota from the left-hand side as Swallows ended the half well in command.
The hosts started the second half as strongly as they ended the first, with Thibedi wide with a shot from a tight angle before City won a penalty for a hand ball awarded against Matlaba, very harshly as he had turned his back to the ball.
Mdantsane stepped up and swept home into the bottom right corner of the net.
The City goalscorer then headed a Mobara free-kick wide as a rejuvenated City went in search of an equaliser.
Sekgota fired over as Swallows tried to reassert their attacking dominance following a neat dummy and pass from Sait.
The fourth official briefly stopped play to inform the referee of a second booking to Zaphaniah Mbokoma, which was overlooked, leading to Swallows player being ejected from the tie, with 73 minutes on the clock.
Sekgota was sacrificed for Mahlatsi, ahead of an effort from Swallows substitute Musa Nyatama that was deflected over the City goal.
The deflection proved to be crucial as Sait rose highest before heading home from the resultant corner from Mokoena on 76 minutes.
City continued to press but it was Swallows who came close to scoring next as Mahlatsi raced through on goal, only for Leeuwenburgh to make a good save.
There was a late red card to Morris as he picked up a second yellow for shoving the ball into an opponent.
Mdantsane though kept his eye on the ball in injury time as Fielies delivered a good cross into the box to head home and ensure a tense end to this encounter.
Mkize cleared off the line following a mis-kick from Leeuwenburgh as the drama continued to the death, with Swallows ultimately relieved to hear the final whistle.
- TEAMtalk media