Two late goals earned Moroka Swallows a morale boosting 2-0 win over Maritzburg United in their Absa Premiership clash played at the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the second half. Birds lost defender Ashraf Hendricks and United had striker Norman Smith sent off.

South African under-20 star Sibusiso Khumalo netted the first goal in the 79th minute and 10 minutes later David Radebe headed home goal number two.

Hendricks was sent off in the 72nd minute after a second bookable offence on the same opponent. He was lucky not to get an earlier red card when he crash tackled Noah Chivuta in the 24th minute.

United were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute when Smith was sent off for what looked a soft dismissal when he appeared to push midfielder Morgan Shivambu.

Hendricks was the hero in the 32nd minute when he did well to cut out a dangerous cross into his penalty area from Rudolph Bester.

Seconds later, Bester beat two defenders and unleashed a powerful shot which flew just wide.

In the 36th minute when United's Nigerian midfielder Felix Obada missed a sitter from close range. Obada collected a pass from Smith and, with only goalkeeper Greg Etafia to beat, Obada shot wide of the target.

Chivuta missed a chance to break the deadlock when he rushed his shot in the 50th minute. A brave save at the feet of Bester from Etafia denied the Namibian international a chance of scoring in the 59th minute.

But Khumalo beat keeper Tashrique Goldman by beating him with a hard shot at the near post in the 79th minute to make it 1-0.

Then veteran Radebe headed home substitute Ryan Botha's corner to give Birds the win