Orlando Pirates came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory over Marumo Gallants in their DStv Premiership encounter at the Orlando Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Pirates came out the better side and pushed the visitors back into their own penalty area, but they were unable to capitalise off the pressure they created in the final third.

Gallants managed to break the deadlock in the 12th minute when Siphelele Ntshangase’s cross into the box beat everybody including Pirates keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane before finding the back of the net.

The Buccaneers managed to level matters in the 24th minute when Kwame Peprah found the back of the net to bag his first goal for the Soweto giants.

The home side then took the lead two minutes later when Peprah completed his brace after firing his shot from inside the box under Washington Arubi to make it 2-1.

Peprah had an opportunity to grab his hat-trick in the 34th minute but he was not allowed the chance to get a clear shot at goal.

Gallants pressed forward in search of an equalising goal in the closing stages of the game but they were unable to penetrate the Buccaneers defence as the game went into the half time break.

It was Gallants who showed their intent early in the second half as they went in search of a leveller but Mpontshane was right at the perfect spot to make an easy save as Gallants surge forward.

Pirates had a chance to go even further ahead in the 56th minute when Thembinkosi Lorch got ahead of the defence before playing in Ntsako Makhubela, but they were unable to make the most of their opportunity in the final third.

Deon Hotto created a chance for the Buccaneers in the 62nd minute but no Pirates player to make any connection with his square ball into the area as it was too close to the keeper.

The Buccaneers opted to make their first substitution of the game a minute later as Fortune Makaringe was brought on to replace Ntsako Makhubela before making a double change when they replaced Lorch and Shandu with Abel Mabaso and Terrence Dzvukamanja in the 71st minute.

Pirates should have extended their lead even further seven minutes later as Hotto cut in before finding Peprah, who laid the ball off for Dzvukamanja, who was dispossessed just on the edge of the box before he could get his shot away.

The home side made their final change in the 83rd minute as Peprah was replaced by Innocent Maela, who was quickly called upon to thwart an attack from Gallants.

Gallants prevented Pirates from adding a third goal four minutes later when goalbound header was cleared off the line by the Gallants defence as the game ended 2-1 in favour of the Sea Robbers.