A first-half goal from Willem Mwedihanga secured a valuable 1-0 win for the University of Pretoria over relegation rivals Jomo Cosmos in an Absa Premiership clash at Tuks Stadium on Saturday.

The victory moves the Tshwane club within a point of Ezenkosi and puts immediate pressure on Maritzburg United who prop the league standings.

With a mere 13 goals between them heading into the clash, expectations were low and a classic out of the question.

While the quality of football wasn't great, the desire to win was clearly evident with Thabo Mnyamane and Micium Mhone forcing either goalkeeper into an early save.

In a week where there was accusations of spying, the former National First Division rivals - who were meeting for the first time in South Africa's top flight - were eager to claim the bragging rights.

AmaTuks opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Mwedihanga. The burly defender with a powerful shot into the corner of the net after Cosmos failed to clear their lines from a corner-kick,

The goal was a clear confidence booster and were it not for a quality save by Sherwyn Naicker, Thabo Mosadi would've doubled the hosts lead three minutes later.

The winger missed another opportunity soon after before it was the turn of Washington Arubi to pull off a top class save. Frederick Nsabiyumva looked sure to score, but Arubi was quick off his line to deny the Ezenkosi captain.

Cosmos came out firing after the break and should've at least been level 10 minutes into the second stanza. Matsilele Sono had two glorious chances in the space of a few minutes, but failed on both occasions, pushing his second attempt well wide with the goal at his mercy.

Lennox Bacela was paraded as a marquee signing by the Capital outfit, but has struggled to find his feet at Tuks since being released by Orlando Pirates last year. The striker again continued his woes in front of goal, missing a sitter on 70 minutes and was duly substituted.

Cosmos dominated the final exchanges as the rain started to fall, but Tuks held their nerve to register only their second win of the campaign.

University of Pretoria (1) 1 (Mwedihanga 23')

University of Pretoria: Arubi; Jaure, Maruping, Mwedihanga, Ngubane, Mosadi (Nyondo 78'), Ketjijere, Nyathi (Ntombayithethi 70'), Zwane, Mnyamane, Bacela (Nkoana 78')

Jomo Cosmos: Naicker; Nsabiyuma, Lingwati, Mntambo (Makobela 31'), Zulu, M.Sono (Nomandela 70'), Maluleke, Mashumba, Mthembu, Mhone (Hlongwane 77'), Macuphu