Moroka Swallows battled to a 1-0 victory over a resilient Santos side at the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Cape side immediately found themselves on the back foot as they faced an onslaught from Swallows soon after the game kicked off.

But for the most part, the People?s Team were able to keep the Birds at bay with some determined defending - the home side's early chances were limited to an of-target shot from Sibusiso Khumalo.

Siyabonga Nomvethe had a good opportunity in the 25th minute to capitalise on Swallows' superiority, but missed the target from only eight yards out after a cross from Collins Mbesuma.

Davi Rancan did better with his shot in the 28th minute, which was very much goal-bound until Santos keeper Tshepo Motsoeneng did well to blocked the effort with his feet.

Swallows continued to make the running for the remainder of the second half, but just could not get on the score-sheet as Nomvethe missed two more chances, while Igor Alves' 25-yard effort in the 42nd minute was saved by Motsoeneng.

The visiting team's only real chance of the opening stanza came just before the break and saw Kenyan defender Musa Otieno sending a close range header wide of goal.

Swallows remained in charge in the second half, with Santos seemingly not to bothered to get on the score-sheet themselves.

Chances soon arrived for the home team, but Rancan's 46th minute shot was blocked and then Nomvethe squandered two chances in quick succession, one of them being from within eight yards of goal.

The People's Team did at least finish the game with more purpose and drive up front, finally bringing Swallows keeper Greg Etafia into the game in the closing stages of the game.

In the 75th minute Etafia however found himself indebted to defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele, who got in the way of Bongi Macala's close range effort.

Erwin Isaacs and then Phikolthu Spelman then both came close as the visiting team threatened to burgle all three points, but Khumalo ensured that Swallows had the final say as he buried a 20-yard shot into the top corner in the 86th minute.