Santos were unable to put a brake on SuperSport United's league title charge as they lost 2-1 to the Tshwane side at Athlone on Tuesday night.

It was an entertaining Absa Premiership game which saw the balance of play shifting on an ongoing basis and United had to dig deep into their character reserves to grind out the three points.

Nine minutes after the kick off Brent Carelse announced United?s intentions early on as his scorching drive forced Tshepo Motsoeneng into making a last-ditch save.

In the 10th minute Carelse was again involved, setting up Daine Klate, whose first time cross was headed goal-wards by Anthony Laffor, but Motsoeneng made the save.

It came, however, at the expense of a corner and United took full advantage as Ricardo Katza powered home a header in the 11th minute.

United remained in control and doubled their advantage on the half hour mark as Dario Monteiro capitalised on some slack defending from Motsoeneng.

It appeared as that stage as of the Pretoria side were going to cruise to victory, with Santos not showing much fight.

However, the Cape side began to find their feet, gaining impetus in attack as the half progressed, and they nearly got on the score-sheet when Graham King?s shot hit a defender before thudding into the upright.

That was in the 36th minute and three minutes later Santos did score as Tyren Arendse netted from close range after some being teed up by Phikolethu Spelman.

The game remained tight after the restart, with neither side able to create clear cut chances in attack.

Santos eventually carved out some opportunities, but King failed to convert a back post volley in the 72nd minute, while Spelman shot just over.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute when Letladi Madubanya received a second yellow card went for an early shower.

The People?s Team were inches away from netting in 90th minute, but United keeper Emile Baron made a superb diving save to tip Musa Otieno?s header over the bar.

That was followed by an off-target Rodgers header as the champions battled through to the final whistle under quite some pressure.

The teams:

Santos: (4-4-2) Motsoeneng; Ntloana, Bianchi (Otieno 59) W Arendse, Skippers (Gabonamong 85); Scott (Powell 67), Van Beulen, T Arendse, King; Rodgers, Spelman.

SuperSport United: (4-4-2) Baron; September, Katza, Gould, Kannemeyer (Nkausu 55), Maluleke, Madubanya, Carelse, Klate; Monteiro (Omony 54), Laffor (Ntshumayelo 76).