Moroka Swallows recovered from a one-goal deficit to beat Free State Stars 2-1 in their Absa Premiership tie on Wednesday.

 

The hosts came into the game on the back of a poor run of results, but found some form in the second stanza to edge out the win.

 

Chances were few and far between throughout the first half as neither side could manage a single shot on target. However, after the break that changed as Stars put their noses in front.

 

Ea Lla Koto opened the scoring five minutes into the second half. Initially it was Mbuyiselo Thethani who headed goalwards only to see the ball come off the woodwork, but Moeketsi Sekola was ready to pounce on the loose ball and net his 10th goal of the season to give the visitors the edge.

 

The Dube Birds fought their way back into the game and equalised in the 70th minute as Larry Cohen crossed for Ashraf Hendricks who was in the right position to direct the ball into the back of the Stars net.

 

With time running out it seemed as though the teams would share the spoils but a late free kick changed the outcome. A foul on Siyabonga Nomvethe by Sandile Mkhwanazi gave Swallows a free kick and Lerato Chabangu stepped up and netted the set-piece to grab the victory for the Birds in the 88th minute.

 

Swallows: Etafia, Mungomeni, Isaacs, Savic, Cohen, Mandic, Hendricks, Baloyi, Lekgothoane, Cele, Obada

 

FS Stars: Mathole, Mkhwanazi, Thlone, Cardoso, Tshabalala, Masehe, Mabunda, Venter, Henyekane, Sekola, Thethani