Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership after claiming a 2-1 victory over Highlands Park on Tuesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Sundowns came out guns blazing in the opening exchanges and took the lead after 12 minutes when Thapelo Morena made the most of an Highlands error to find the back of the net.

The visitors then doubled their lead eight minutes later when Morena picked out Themba Zwane, who beat his marker to fire the ball past Tapuwa Kapini.

However, Highlands then reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute through a strike by Lindokuhle Mbatha.

Mbatha came close to levelling the game with five minutes left to the break, but blazed his effort against the woodwork.

The game went into the half time interval with Sundowns leading 2-1.

Highlands came out better in the second half and started seeing more possession on the ball early on.

At the other end, Sundowns looked to extend their lead even further after Anthony Laffor tested Kapini from range, but the keeper managed to deal with his effort as the scoreline remained, 2-1.

Lebohang Maboe nearly gave Sundowns the lead in the 61st minute after he was picked out by Zwane, but his effort deflected out for a corner.

Sundowns should have extended their lead two minutes later after Zwane offloaded the ball to Morena, who fired the ball into the side-netting at the near post.

Kapini came to his sides rescue in the 73rd minute when he made a good reflex save to deny Hlompho Kekana’s strike at goal.

The home side pressed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages of the game, but Sundowns held on to their lead until the final whistle to claim all three points away from home.