Orlando Pirates beat Moroka Swallows FC 1-0 in their DStv Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The only goal was scored by a Tshegofatso Mabasa header in the second half.

The match overall was a tight affair with some decent defending a few clear-cut chances.

Early on Swallows' George Matlou fouled Vincent Pule to stop a counter attack but avoids a caution.

In the fifth minute, Musa Nyatama was yellow-carded for a studs up tackle, Pirates awarded a free-kick but Deon Hotto put it just over the crossbar.

A few minutes later, Dillon Solomons whips in a superb cross from the left for Swallows but Ruzaigh Gamiliden and Monnapule Saleng do not take advantage as the ball flashes across the face of goal.

Swallows seemed to be in more possession than Pirates after 15-minutes and are dictating play. Both sides are relying on their wingers to carry the ball forward.

Pule dribbles down the right for Pirates and hammers a low shot from an angle which is easily saved by goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala on 18 minutes.

Vuyo Mere fires in a cross from the right for Swallows but Siyabonga Mpontshane is not troubled and saves easily.

Pirates use some good wide play to get Paseka Mako down the left and to the byline but his cross is well defended by Junaid Sait for the Dube Birds in the 24th minute.

Not long after, Gamildien finds Dillon Solomons with a pass on the edge of the area for Swallows but his shot is blocked by Thulani Hlatshwayo.

Swallows seem to be firing crosses into the box but are finding no one to take advantage.

In the 33rd minute, Pirates has a rare shot when Bandile Shandu played a square pass into the box and Kabelo Dlamini controls before striking tamely straight at Tshabalala.

Goodman Mosele drives a ball into the area for Pirates but Sipho Sibiya and Yagan Sasman block and clear. Both sides have looked really strong and well organised in defence.

Pule catches Swallows' Sait with a late tackle and gets a yellow card in what looked like a red-card offence. Very poor, late challenge.

Minutes before the half-time break, Solomons of Swallows neutralises Shandu but puts his cross out of reach of Gamildien waiting in the box.

A Swallows free-kick falls to Lebohang Mokoena on the edge of the area but he hammers a volley wide of goal.

Both teams go into the half-time break with the score tied 0-0 and no clear-cut scoring chances.

Just after the re-start, Dlamini takes a corner for Pirates and Pule flicks it on but Tshegofatso Mabasa can't turn it home from close-range.

In the 52nd minute, Swallows have a free-kick a few paces away from the Pirates box. It's delivered by Gamildien but Mpontshane makes a comfortable save to keep things goalless.

Matlou is fouled by Mabasa. Free-kick to Swallows in a good position but Saleng's kick is easily headed to safety by Mako.

SUBS for Swallows in the 88th minute: Keletso Makgalwa and Khetukuthula Ndlovu enter the action, Solomons and Saleng go off.

SUBS for Pirates: Terrence Dzvukamanja on for Dlamini and Abel Mabaso on for Hotto.

Pirates' Mako fouls Mere and picks up a yellow card for his troubles.

On 66 minutes, through a Swallows counter attack, Ntsako Makhubela fouls Keletso Makgalwa to earn himself a yellow card. Gamildien delivers the free-kick but Mpontshane isn't troubled as the ball flies over the bar.

SUB for Swallows: Musa Nyatama is replaced by defender Givemore Khupe.

Khupe first touch for Swallows nearly cost him when he gives the ball away but Sait comes and bails his team-mate out of trouble.

In the 75th minute, Pule goes down in the box after a fine counter from the Pirates, but the referee waves “play on”.

Then in the 78th minute Pirates took the 1-0 lead, when Pule teases Mere and crosses into the box. Mabasa gets up highest to head home to give Bucs the lead.

Swallows are ramping up their attack and appear to be trying to find an equaliser but are kept at bay by good Pirates defending.

SUBS for Swallows: Kagiso Malinga on for Gamildien and Mbulelo Wambi replaces Mokoena.

SUBS for Pirates: Ben Motshwari and Olisa Ndah introduced for Pule and Makhubela.

In the 89th minute, Hlatshwayo nearly added to Bucs' lead but his header from a set-piece went straight to the keeper.

Mabaso is booked for time wasting for Pirates.

Swallows cause trouble in the Pirates box from a corner as Matlou challenges and Dzvukamanja has to clear crucially.

The game ends 1-0 and Pirates grab the three ponts on offer in a very tight overall game.

Confirmed line-ups:

Pirates XI: Siyabonga Mpontshane, Happy Jele, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Paseka Mako, Bandile Shandu, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Goodman Mosele, Ntsako Makhubela, Vincent Pule, Kabelo Dlamini, Deon Hotto.

Subs: Wayne Sandilands, Olisa Ndah, Simiso Bophela, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Tebogo Tlolane, Fortune Makaringe, Abel Mabaso, Ben Motshwari, James Monyane.

Swallows XI: Sanele Tshabalala, Vuyo Mere, Junaid Sait, Sipho Sibiya, Yagan Sasman, Musa Nyatama, George Matlou, Lebohang Mokoena, Dillon Solomons, Monnapule Saleng, Ruzaigh Gamildien.

Subs: Jody February, Katlego Mohamme, Fawaaz Basadien, Kagiso Malinga, Grant Margeman, Givemore Khupe, Keletso Makgalwa, Mbulelo Wambi, Khetukuthula Ndlovu.

Orlando Pirates 1-0 Moroka Swallows FC