Second half replacement, Bradley Grobler scored his fourth and fifth Absa Premiership goals of the season to help SuperSport United edge the University of Pretoria 2-0 in Atteridgeville on Saturday evening.

Heading into the game on the back of three straight league defeats, United looked plucky in front of goal, but Grobler eventually did enough to change Matsatsantsa's fortunes with a composed finish late in the game, before adding a second a minute from time.

Arresting a pair of consecutive defeats on home soil, SuperSport bagged three valuable points to leapfrog their Pretoria neighbours into eighth spot.

For AmaTuks, meanwhile, a second defeat on the trot for Sammy Troughton and his side, who lost in midweek and lost their concentration late in the second half of a match that failed to live up to expectations in the capital city.

Gordon Igesund left few in doubt over his expectation for the game, naming Ryan Chapman alongside both first-choice strikers, Jeremy Brockie and Kingston Nkhatha, in a 4-3-3 formation that had all the makings of an all-out attack from the former Bafana Bafana mentor.

A slow start saw little in the way of chances in front of goal, where neither were inspiring.

Tuks, however, seemed to have the edge on their hosts and enjoyed more of the ball.

Thabo Mosadi and Grant Kekana had a few tries at goal, but Ronwen Williams looked untroubled.

When SuperSport eventually found their rhythm, wayward misfires in front of goal cost Igesund's men.

SuperSport had to wait until the last minute of the opening 45 for their best chance. Mor Diouf's powerful header caused problems and Washington Arubi was called on to make a solid save.

Level at the break, United came out with more purpose in the second period.

Chapman tested Arubi once more three minutes into the half, but failed to beat the Zimbabwean international, who was solid behind a stable, but often out-of-position Tuks defence.

While the pair exchanged half-chances in the first half, they were more measured in the second, but still neither were able to make the decisive breakthrough in the Pretoria derby.

Mosadi had a go in the 58th minute with a well-hit effort, but an advancing Williams made light work of the shot, making a good save down low to deny the young Tuks winger.

David Mathebula had the best chance of the game punched away on 68 minutes when Arubi did brilliantly to palm away the shot from the former Moroka Swallows man, who was unlucky not to get more.

When SuperSport eventually broke the deadlock, through Bradley Grobler, the striker's movement was ruled offside and his fine finish counted for naught as the scores remained unchanged.

But Grobler would not be denied a second time and made it count on 77 minutes with a neat prod home as United stole the lead.

Grobler looked cool in front of goal and stabbed home after a scuffle in front of goal to send United into the lead with 13 minutes left to defend and close up show for Igesund and his outfit.

But there was more to come from the former Ajax Cape Town attacker, who made it two from two for the substitute, who scored an emphatic finish to all but secure the win for United and put the result beyond doubt with seconds left to play.

SuperSport United (0) 2 (Grobler 77', 89')

University of Pretoria 0

Teams:

SuperSport United: Williams, Daniels, Diouf, Makhabela, Teyise, Mathebula, Phala, Wome, Chapman (Klate 69'), Brockie (Mpeta 83'), Nkhatha (Grobler 64')

University of Pretoria: Arubi, Kekana, Jaure, Shoyisa, Ngubane, Matsi, Mukamba (Massa 69'), Zwane, Mathosi (Mfulwane 85'), Mosadi, Mnyamane