Orlando Pirates came from behind to claim a 3-2 win over Polokwane City at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening after both sides were reduced to 10 men.

The Sea Robbers came into the game looking to bounce back from their Soweto derby loss against Kaizer Chiefs just before the international break, while City were looking to snap a five-game losing run.

Pirates would have been hoping for a good start, but it was Rise and Shine who blasted off after just 12 minutes to take the lead as Charlton Mashumba got free in the box before heading home a corner from Jabulani Maluleke.

Rhulani Mokwena’s men looked for a quick reply and the perfect opportunity came with 34 minutes gone as the referee pointed to the spot following a handball in the Polokwane box. Mhango was the man to step up, making no mistake in converting from 12 yards.

Matters then quickly turned sour for both teams as an off-the-ball incident between Thembinkosi Lorch and Puleng Tlolane had both players sent off just five minutes before the break.

Mokwena looked to switch things up at the start of the second half as he hauled off the influential Mhango for Kabelo Dlamini, while Mabasa took the place of Xola Mlambo just before the hour mark.

The changes then worked their magic for the young coach as first Mabasa fired the home side into the lead on 65 minutes with a tidy finish from inside the box, with Dlamini also heavily involved in the move which brough about the goal.

Dlamini then got a goal of his own in the 76th minute as he dribbled away from his defender before rifling his shot into the bottom corner to put Pirates in control.

The away side would not lie down, though, as Mvelase pulled a goal back on the stroke of full time but Pirates held on for a vital victory.