Orlando Pirates ground out a vital win on the road as they beat Polokwane City 1-0 in their DStv Premiership fixture played at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

The result helped the Buccaneers snap out of a three-match winless run in the league, as they claimed a crucial three points that propelled them to fourth place in the standings.

It only took them two minutes to create the game’s first chance, with Relebohile Mofokeng knocking the ball straight to Manuel Sapunga after connecting with an excellent ball delivered from the right flank by Thabiso Monyane. That proved to be the only bit of excitement for a big chunk of the game’s opening quarter, as opportunities evaded both sides for much of the early part of the contest.

The hosts were able to send a shot towards goal in the 23rd minute when Oswin Appollis drifted in from the left before firing well over the crossbar. The Rise and Shine attacker went even closer from a set piece after the half-hour mark, as his curling ball from the edge of the box landed on the roof of the net.

Pirates’ best chance of the first half came through Karim Kimvuidi, who made an excellent turn on the edge of the box after connecting with Patrick Maswanganyi only to be denied by the woodwork.

The second period served up more opportunities early on, with striker Evidence Makgopa the first to conjure up a clear chance when he peeled away from his marker to fire just wide of the target.