The Citizens entered the encounter under pressure following their two defeats in the mini-league, but Therlo Moosa's late strike proved enough to secure all three points and keep their ambitions of a top-flight status firmly alive.

While City celebrated a vital victory, Milford were left to rue a host of missed opportunities after dominating large spells of the contest without finding the back of the net.

Despite the defeat, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit remain top of the playoff standings with six points. Cape Town City and Magesi FC are now level on three points, although Magesi still have two matches remaining while City and Milford each have one game left to play.

Milford made a bright start and nearly opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes. A scramble in the Cape Town City penalty almost ended with the ball in the net, but only for a Milford player to be judged offside.

Buoyed by a vocal home crowd, the Stallions continued to push forward and came close again in the 20th minute when Bulelani Sigomoshe fired over the crossbar after finding space on the edge of the area.

Cape Town City gradually grew into the game, with Gabriel Amato working tirelessly in midfield to disrupt Milford's rhythm. Jaedin Rhodes provided the visitors' biggest attacking threat, first curling a free-kick narrowly wide before rattling the post with a well-struck effort moments later.

With both defences standing firm, the teams went into halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

Milford resumed on the front foot after the restart and squandered a golden opportunity in the 48th minute when Siphosethu Ndlabi was sent through on goal, only to drag his effort wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.

The hosts continued to create chances, with Menzi Chili firing off target after good work from Sigomoshe before substitute Nqaba Xulu missed what was arguably Milford's best opportunity of the match.

After weathering the storm, Cape Town City delivered the decisive blow in the 83rd minute when Moosa found the breakthrough.

Milford threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser, but City held firm to claim a priceless victory and reignite their promotion bid.

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Jody February joins AmaZulu FC on loan