Mamelodi Sundowns made sure to keep up with the pace set by Orlando Pirates at the top of the Betway Premiership after recording a 3-1 win over Sekhukhune United at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday afternoon.

In what was a tense match for Sundowns throughout the encounter, a 70th leveller by Bradley Grobler made for an interesting end to proceedings in Pretoria. However, Monnapule Saleng and Iqraam Rayners stole the show, with the latter grabbing a crucial brace late on.

The Brazilians wasted no time creating their first scoring opportunity; Teboho Mokoena found Jayden Adams with a cross inside the box, but the Downs midfielder’s effort went just wide.

Downs continued to chip away at the Sekhukhune backline as Mokoena and Adams connected in the middle of the park. Marcelo Allende likewise joined Downs’ attacking ventures in the 16th minute but failed to convert a right-footed shot inside the box.

With Sundowns well settled on possession by the midway point of the first 45 minutes, it was Allende who opened the scoreboard in stunning fashion. After collecting the ball outside the area, the South American followed through on a long range effort that found the top corner in the 31st minute.

Downs did well to see out the first-half and conceded no notable scoring chances, apart from Shaune Mogaila’s attempt after the 30th minute, which was saved by Ronwen Williams.

The reigning league champions came firing out the blocks at the restart, as seen with attempts by Tashreeq Matthews and Mokoena.

At the other end of the pitch, Vusimusi Mncube showed his attacking impetus with a right-footed shot from outside the box that went high and wide. With 10 minutes into the new half, Sundowns remained dominant on the ball.

Following a number of missed opportunities by Sundowns, Sekhukhune drew level at the 70th minute mark as the experienced Bradley Grobler popped up in the right area with a header on the right side of the six-yard box following a free-kick situation.

Then, following a swift move toward the Sundowns area, the newly signed Monnapule Saleng found second-half substitute Iqraam Rayners with a cross inside the area before the striker finished from close range.

Rayners added an assurance goal in stoppage time and doubled his account on the day. Again, following another fast break, Rayners found the back of the net with a right-footed shot from outside the 18-yard-area.

Babina Noko did little to threaten the Sundowns backline for the remainder of the encounter as Downs recorded a vital win to go level on points with Orlando Pirates.

Mamelodi Sundowns: (1) 3 (Allende 31’, Rayners 81’, 94’

Sekhukhune United: (0) 1 (Grobler 70’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Mokoena (Zwane 60’), Mdamane, Allende (Mothiba 81’), Adams, Modiba, Mudau, Matthews (Saleng 80’), Leon (Rayners 68’), Sales (Santos 60’)

Sekhukhune United: Nsabata, Ndlovu, Cardoso, Letlapa, Mashiloane, Monare (Khiba 72’), Mkhize (Makgalwa 92;’), Nku (Diomande 46’), Mogaila (Rammala 65’), Mncube (Mokoane 65’), Grobler