It's amazing what confidence and form can do for a team. When Orlando Pirates lost to Golden Arrows in October, their body language told the story of an unhappy team

In their vengeful and exciting 4-1 demolition of the same team at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, they played with a type of excitement often seen in parents when their toddler starts walking. Tendai Ndoro, with another brace, Luvuyo Memela and Issa Sarr scored for Bucs. Pirates coach Eric Tinkler still found flaws in his team's excellent performance.

"Finishing in the top three is not in our hands, it's in the hands of others. Collecting three points is important because the gap is being closed on Black Aces and Kaizer Chiefs. We were a bit lethargic and casual in the first half. We decided to press high and pressure them on their own ball deep in their own half," Tinkler said.

Pirates' copybook was blotted by Lehlohonolo Masalesa's 53rd minute sending off for an issue Tinkler could not quite fathom.

Arrows pulled one back through Nduduzo Sibiya in the 64th minutes.

Tinkler felt that clarity was needed as to why referee Olani Kwinda dismissed his key midfielder. Masalesa will miss the next four matches due to the red card being his third of the season.

"I would still like to know what was the reason to give the second yellow because I also don't know why it was issued. Edwin Gyimah's yellow card was also a case in point when he was carded even though he was told to come back onto the field," Tinkler said.

Arrows coach Clint Larsen found a morsel of positivity in the aftermath of the hiding but admitted that a top-eight spot was becoming a pipe dream.

"There's 18 points to fight for and I believe we can still do it. However, we find ourselves in a very difficult position. Teams from number eight down to number 14 still have a chance and we'll be one of those teams fighting for that," Larsen said.