Ajax Cape Town survived a late surge to edge Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in an Absa Premiership clash at Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening, as the Cape side returned to winning ways.

Bantu Mzwakali and Tashreeq Morris with the goals for the hosts. Isaac Nhlapo with the unfortunate own goal to tee up what was a tense end to the match for the home fans.

The Urban Warriors controlled the tempo in the early exchanges and duly registered the first shot in anger with eight minutes on the clock.

Morris with the knockdown for Roscoe Pietersen who chanced his luck on the half-volley from the edge of the area. The defender-come-midfielder unlucky to see his 'rocket' fly inches over the crossbar.

Given Mashikinya followed suit at the other end of the pitch, with the former Cape Town City man going close for the visitors.

Neat interplay by the away side setting up the Siwelele midfielder who's rasping effort whistled wide of goal in the 15th minute.

Mosa Lebusa squandered a golden chance for the hosts six minutes later from a corner-kick. The Ajax Cape Town captain unable to guide his header attempt past Patrick Tignyemb, with the goal-minder well positioned to pull off a save from close range.

Chances kept on coming and Celtic should've hit the front in the 26th minute, but Ndumiso Mabena failed to convert after being played through on goal.

The opening goal finally came in the 37th minute. Pietersen's low cross converted by Mzwakali from close range. Back in the starting 11, the midfielder made good use of his chance, as he made it two in two vs Siwelele at Athlone.

Stanley Menzo's troops 1-0 up at the interval.

Celtic came out firing after the break, and should've found the equaliser, but failed to convert a catalogue of chances leading up to the hour mark. Brandon Petersen with a great save among all the pressure to deny Roggert Nyundu.

Morris provided the sucker punch on the hour mark. A bit of luck involved, but all sparked from a brilliant bit of interplay down the right flank by Pietersen and Thabo Mosadi.

The burly forward at the right place to poke home at the back post after Prince Nxumalo scuffed his shot.

Phunya Sele Sele halved the deficit in the 67th minute through an unfortunate own goal from Nhlapo. The least they deserved having dominated most of the second stanza.

The visitors continued to probe, but were unable to level matters as Ajax Cape Town held on for only their second win of the campaign.

Ajax Cape Town (1) 2 (Mzwakali 37' Morris 60')

Ajax Cape Town: Petersen; Evans, Nhlapo, Booysen, Lebusa - Pietersen, Mdabuka, Mzwakali (Kabwe 90+1') - Mosadi, Morris (Isaacs 85'), Nxumalo (George 72').

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb; Pfumbidzai, Ndengane, Lubisi - Hotto, Mashikinya, Baloyi, Mahlasela (Letsoalo 81') - Nyundu, Mabena.