Lekgwathi (pictured) headed home from a Bennet Chenene corner kick in the 80th minute with the latter equalising for 'Buccaneers' in the 67th minute, also with a header, from a Lebohang Mokoena cross. Thembinkosi Fanteni had opened the scoring for Ajax in the 25th minute but unfortunately his team could not hold on to their lead as Pirates came from behind to claim an impressive win at home.

Pirates Excellent Walaza made a stupendous miss in the 13th minute. Chenene had raced away from his marker on the left and sent in an inch-perfect cross but Walaza side-footed the ball past the near-post with Ajax goalkeeper Hans Vonk at his mercy.

Ajax finally settled and caused the Pirates a scare when winger Aiden Jenniker hit the cross-bar from seven yards out in the 25th minute.

The 'Urban Warriors' star striker Thembinkosi Fanteni though did not make a mistake with his chance. 'Bucs' goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa failed to handle a cross from Russel Mwafulirwa four minutes later and Fanteni obliged as he blasted the ball low and hard to give Ajax the lead.

The rain continued to pour down throughout the first half as the visitors held on to go into the break with a slight advantage.

Ajax strikers Fanteni and Mwafulirwa continued to combine well in the second half and constantly tested Destin Makita and Bongani Cashibe in the Pirates' rearguard. Mwafulirwa turned Cashibe well to feed Fanteni, but the latter watched in agony as his shot sailed over the bar.

With the 'Ghost' - Pirates supporters - getting louder, the 'Bucs' players responded and surged forward dangerously. Ajax resorted to defence and this led to their downfall as Mokoena picked Chenene out in the big box and the diminutive winger directed the ball past the stationary Vonk.

The game opened up and both teams went in search of another goal and although Ajax had more shots at goal and better chances to score, it was the hosts who got the breakthrough.

Lekgwathi rose above the Ajax defenders in the six-yard-box to head home what would be the winner with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Ajax's Brazilian defender Eduardo Ferreira hit the upright in the dying minutes of the game and this summed up their afternoon as they came close but with no result.

Pirates are now five points behind the log leaders courtesy of this win and judging by their current form, they may just be the team to push the exciting Ajax for the top spot on the log standings on the festive break.

The teams:

Orlando Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Lucky Lekgwathi, Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi (Paulos Masehe 62), Destin Makita, Isaac Leshabane, Bongani Cashibe, Mlungisi Gumbi (Lehlohonolo Seema 85), Teko Modise, Bennet Chenene, Lebohang Mokoena, Excellent Walaza.

Ajax Cape Town: Hans Vonk, Eduardo Ferreira, Bageta Dikulu, Brett Evans, Bryce Moon (Mkhanyiseli Siwahla 80), Eyong Enoh, Mfundo Shumana (Nathan Paulse 83), Aiden Jenniker (Nhlanhla Shabalala 89), Russell Mwafulirwa, Thembinkosi Fanteni.

- SAPA -