Nine-man TS Galaxy progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout after edging Chippa United 1-0 in extra-time on Saturday afternoon.
Galaxy made wholesale changes from their defeat against the same opposition, as only Puso Dithejane, Thato Khiba, MacBeth Mahlangu and Samukelo Kabini remained.
Chippa, similarly, rotated their squad, as only goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Ayabulela Konqobe, Bienvenu Eva Nga and Thabang Malaoa were retained.
The game open in the early exchanges but it took until 18 minutes for the Rockets to have an opening upfront after Qobolwakhe Sibande drifted past Nwabali but he lost his footing aiming at a gaping net.
The Chilli Boys also got into the game as seven minutes later Kanqobe had a chance with a volley in the box that was smothered by shot-stopper Ira Tape.
As the game flowed, Sead Ramovic's charges had another good chance just before the interval after Thokozani Sibanyoni went through on goal but he fired his shot over the crossbar and the sides went to the break deadlocked.
Both coaches reacted with attacking changes at half-time, as Kwanele Kopo brought on Aphelele Teto against his former side in place of Kanqobe.
Ramovic, on the other hand, introduced Lindokuhle Mbatha in place of Sibande.
After sizing each other out from the break, the game came to life with 20 minutes to go after Dithejane was denied a one-on-one conversion by Nwabali.
Immediately thereafter, Craig Martin also broke clear at the other end but could not beat Tape in a one-on-one.
The sides were spirited to steal the game in the closing stages and with 14 minutes remaining, Dzenan Zajmovic almost broke the deadlock for the Rockets with a rocket shot in the box that flashed narrowly wide.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes and Thabo Makhele had a big opportunity for the visitors in added time with a free header at the back post but he guided his effort wide.
The sides eventually went to extra-time after there was no winner in regulation time.
Galaxy showed eagerness to attack early in extra-time and Zajmovic, after missing a sitter, eventually broke the deadlock ten minutes into extra-time with a strike in the box after he was left unmarked.
The Rockets were even more dangerous on counter-attacks after that as moments later Mbatha had a one-on-one opportunity but he was denied by Nwabali, who kept Chippa in the game.
Zajmovic became villain for Galaxy in the last six minutes after he got a second booking, with his first yellow card coming from taking his shirt off in celebration and was sent off.
The home side were down to nine men towards the end after Victor Letsoalo got a second booking and was also dismissed.
However, the Rockets held on and booked their spot in the quarter-finals.
Here's how they line up:
TS Galaxy: Tape, Mvelase, M.Mahlangu, Khiba, Dithejane, Sibande, Kabini, Ndamane, Mbatha, S.Mahlangu, Sebelebele
Subs: Ciupa, Zajmovic, Letsoalo, Sibanyoni, Mbunjana, Seema, Doyiza, Radebe, Mgaga
Chippa United: Nwabali, Kamagi, Makhele, Chabalala, Baloni, Konqobe, Eva Nga, Mqokozo, Malaoa, Matrose
Subs: Johnson, Martin, Ndlovu, Teto, Jalii, Kambindu, Modise, Mazibuko, Kwayiba