Maritzburg United notched up their first win in six games with a hardfought 1-0 victory over Mpumalanga Black Aces at a rain-swept Woodburn Stadium on Wednesday night.

The home team dominated the first half but were unable to open the scoring, though they did have two chances cleared off the line.

The first was in the 16th minute when Rudolf Bester crossed from the left to find Musa Nyatama free in the middle. Nyatama steered the ball towards goal where it was booted clear from centimetres in front of the line.

In the 41st minute Brice Aka got a touch past Aces goalkeeper Thomas Richter but defender Sibusiso Dabi beat the ball to the goal-line.

These were among a handful of shots at goal in the first half by United, including two straight at Richter and one wide by Nyatama, and another straight at the keeper by Noah Chivuta.

Aces had their chances too, as goalkeeper Tashrique Goldman saved Jacob Machaka's shot early on, and pulled off a double stop later in the half to deny Esau Mtsweni.

In the second half, however, United were well on top of the game. Richter pulled off a point-blank save when Brice Aka burst through in the 54th minute, and the German keeper was again up to a reflex stop from substitute Fadlu Davids' header in the 62nd.

United finally did score their winner in the 78th minute. Elias Ngwepe's chip into the area was touched on by Byrone Hendricks to Davids, who swept in an expert finish.