Orlando Pirates have finally won a league match after 13 attempts following their 2-0 victory over a nine-man Maritzburg United last night.

Bucs moved into ninth place with the win, courtesy of a 13th minute header by defender Ayanda Gcaba and Dove Wome strike in the second half. The two goals secured Bucs their first league win since November.

There was no way back for the visitors once Pirates were in the driving seat.

Pirates weren't exactly flawless. They had their faults at times, but did enough in the end to emerge victorious.

One of those occasions Maritzburg came close was towards the end of the first half and already trailing, Shandu was played through by Andrea Fillecia leaving him one-on-one with Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane.

Mpontshane was quick off his line and blocked Shandu's attempt to preserve Pirates' lead eight minutes before the interval.

Playing in his third game of the season, Mpontshane almost ruined his good work by spilling Lebohang Maboe's shot second before the break but recovered to collect in his second attempt.

Maritzburg's job of trying to come back into the match was made even more difficult in the second half when Brian Onyango picked up his second yellow card for a tackle from behind on Tendai Ndoro in the 60th minute.

Onyango had been given his first yellow in the first half for a foul on Mpho Makola.

Despite being a man down, Maritzburg didn't throw in the towel but it was always going to be a big ask to find the equaliser let alone win. Instead, it was Pirates who added a second 11 minutes from time, via Wome who had come off the bench.

It was a good team goal, as Wome and Ndoro combined brilliantly before the Togolese international beat Virgil Vries to his left.

As if this wasn't bad enough for the Team of Choice, midfielder Deolin Mekoa was also given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.