Bloemfontein Celtic slumped to a 1-0 defeat against their lower division opponents in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at the University Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday night.

What is more, it was something of a revelation from the PSL's Inland Stream team who had shown up Kaizer Chiefs in the previous round and did the same to a bemused and bewildered Celtic with another enterprising performance.

However, it needed an inspired change by 'Tuks' coach Steve Barker in the 84th minute to produce the vital winning goal, with "super sub" Thulani Notyhawe blasting the ball into the roof of the net with his first touch of the ball ? giving Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb no chance of saving.

Celtic, with one eye on avoiding relegation, kept a couple of players who are one yellow card short off suspension out of the starting line-up ? a decision maybe imbued in an element of complacency and one coach Owen da Gama might be rueing right now.

A fairly even opening half provided the springboard for 'Tukkies' to take control of the proceedings in the second period with enterprising, attacking football against a team who looked timid by comparison.

Indeed, it appeared that the university team had gone in front midway through the second half with what seemed a stunningly orchestrated goal, but replays afterwards revealed it had been a correct decision when the linesman ruled off-side.

Barker said his team's triumph had been the reward of dedication, hard work and a positive attitude that took on the challenge to score goals in the first instance rather than preventing them.

Of the substitution that brought the youthful Notyhawe onto the pitch for his instant moment of glory, the 'Tukkies' coach dismissed it as "just one of those things." But he praised his match-winner as "a player with a great future" who had demonstrated his potential when he turned up at 'Tukkies' practice at the age of 15.

"I knew he would not be over-awed by the occasion," added Barker, "and he could do a job for the team ? which he certainly did in amazing fashion."

Da Gama conceded that Celtic had "lost to the better combination" and said it could be a boost for South African socccer in the wider context.

But the Celtic coach said it hurt that some of his players had failed to display the resolution and ambition that the occasion had demanded.