Durban City had to dig deep to secure a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership match played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, City moved up to the fourth place in the standings, as they continue to enjoy a dream PSL Premiership debut. Interim coach Pitso Dladla will be keen to mastermind a third successive win when City face Sekhukhune United on Wednesday.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, on the other hand, remained 14th in the standings as their relegation fears continued to grow. The relegation-threatened side will be desperate for a victory when they take on an improved Chippa United side on Wednesday.

The two teams traded a few promising chances in the first half, with one standout moment seeing Bokang Mokwena force goalkeeper Washington Arubi into a solid save to keep City at bay in the 19th minute.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa and City went into the break locked at 0-0 after a tightly contested and evenly balanced opening period.

With his side trailing 1-0, Alexander Lafitte, the youngest coach in the Betway Premiership at the age of 28, made a double substitution in the 59th minute, introducing Ibrahim Bance and Msindi Ndlovu as Gallants looked to level matters.

The hosts had a chance to equalise with 20 minutes left on the clock, but Mohamed Doumbia was denied by keeper Darren Keet, who kept his 11th league clean sheet of the season to help City claim a 1-0 win over Gallants.

Gallants 0

City (1) 1 (Magawana 19')

Gallants: Arubi, Ncube, Agnikoi, Ouattara, Ntiya-Ntiya, Sithole (Mwiinde 84'), Nhlapo, Doumbia, Motloung (Ndlovu 59'), Clifford (Otladisa 78'), Mabuza (Bance 59').

City: Keet, Jalai (Gcaba 74'), Ncanana, Maseko (Sifumba 58'), Mashego, Jurgens, Poggenpoel, Jodwana, Magawana (Mahlangu 74'), Mokwena (Kamatuka 84'), Mkhize.