Ten-man Marumo Gallants booked their spot in the Nedbank Cup last 16 after a last-gasp 1-0 win over Pretoria Callies on Friday evening.
Gallants made two enforced changes following their draw against Chippa United, as Siyabulela Shai and Thapelo Mokobodi took the places of the suspended Gabadinho Mhango and Masindi Nemtajela.
Dan Malesela's charges absorb the pressure in the early stages, to size up what Callies were bringing to the table.
The visitors only started to impose themselves midway through the first stanza after Kamohelo Mahlatsi had a shot in the box that was smothered by goalkeeper King Ndlovu.
Siwelele Sa Marumo gained momentum and had opportunities in front of goal but were wasteful.
The Romans struggled to combine going forward towards the end of the first stanza and were the happier of the sides to go to the half-time break goalless.
Gallants started the second stanza on the back foot after they were reduced to ten men following the red-card of Shai, who was dismissed after he got a second booking for a bad foul.
Callies started to get into the game after the hour-mark as they bossed the game and Kamogelo Mogaswa came close to breaking the deadlock with a strike from the edge of the box that flashed narrowly wide.
Gallants needed a spark going forward with 20 minutes to go as Monde Mphambaniso replaced Mokobodi.
Siwelele Sa Marumo were pressurizing the Motsepe Foundation Championship side in the closing stages.
Mphambaniso eventually snatched the winner for Gallants in stoppages with a close-range shot from a rebound after Ndlovu could not hold onto a stinging shot from Daniel Msendami.
Callies had no time to respond as Gallants became the first side to book their spot in the round of 16.
Confirmed line-ups:
Pretoria Callies: Ndlovu, Damons, Mvundela, Motloung, Ntiya-Ntiya, Mogaswa, Khumalo, Moremi, Malepe, Mandi, Chaine
Subs: Khoza, Sebone, Smith, Baloyi, Mahome, Mathebula, Mgwaba, Nyandeni, De Sousa
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Chabatsane, Sikhosana, Mathiane, Khumalo, Manaka, Sithole, Msendami, Mahlatsi, Mokobodi, Shai
Subs: K. Mlambo, Ncube, Mabotja, Ntatheni, Nange, Dhludlu, X.Mlambo, Mphambaniso, Wagaba