TS Galaxy edged Marumo Gallants 3-2 in a five-goal thriller in the Betway Premiership at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Tuesday night.

The win lifted the Rockets to eighth in the league standings, two points behind second-placed Kaizer Chiefs. Galaxy will look to stay in touch with the early pacesetters with another victory when they face Sekhukhune United away on 5 September.

Gallants, meanwhile, remained 15th and winless. Bahlabane Ba Ntwa will be desperate for their first win of the season when they host Polokwane City on 4 September.

Marumo Gallants got off to a flying start, seizing the lead in just the fourth minute courtesy of Msindisi Ndlovu. The former AmaZulu player finished clinically to put Bahlabane Ba Ntwa 1-0 up, with Thabiso Mkhwanazi laying on the assist.

The Rockets responded well, however, as their sharp-shooting striker Victor Letsoalo restored parity in the 21st minute, making it three goals in four matches. The sides went into the half-time interval locked at 1-1 in Rustenburg.

The second half was dominated by the Rockets’ clinical finishing. George switched roles from provider to scorer in the 49th minute, making it 2-1 to Galaxy and capitalising on some sloppy defending from Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.

The Rockets were more clinical in the second-half as George scored in the 49th minute to make it 2-1. In-form striker Victor Letsoalo then calmly converted a penalty on the hour mark to make it 3-1 to Galaxy after the visitors were awarded a spot-kick.

The visitors switched off in the closing stages, and their former player Onke Moletshe duly punished them with 16 minutes remaining. Galaxy, however, held firm under late pressure to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Gallants. 

Gallants (1) 2 (Ndlovu 4', Moletshe 74')

Galaxy (1) 3 (Letsoalo 21', 60', George 49')

Gallants: Lako, Rikhotso (Seketso 90'), Madiba, Sikakane, Ncube, Ndlondlo, Mkhwanazi (Kutumela 46'), Manaka, Injili, Ndlovu (Moletshe 46'), Otladisa (Mpambaniso 67')

Galaxy: Tape, Mncwango, Zulu, Motaung, Mahlambi (Ngobeni 64'), Mdevulana (Mbunjana 80'), Nkosi, Mvelase (Tati 46'), Xulu (Khumalo 46'), Letsoalo, George (Ngwenya 80')