The home team had more possession in the opening half but they could not break the defence of the Beautiful Birds, which was water-tight in the first half.

The singing and dancing of the Bucks supporters who were packed in the Stadium seemed to give their team extra energy as they kept attacking their opponents' goal.

Imbabala gave what was argubably their best best display of the season thus far and the 10 000 supporters in the stadium were cheering them every time they were on attack.

Birds strike Lungisani Ndlela came close to scoring in the seventh minute after beating the Bucks offside trap, but his parting shot was off target.

The Eastern Cape side had more possession in the first 45 minutes, but they could not break the determined Birds defence.

Agent Sawu could have scored in the first minute of the second half after he had beaten Ivan Winstanley, who was playing in the central defence, and then unelashed a 30 metre shot which just went over the bar with Swallows keeper Greg Etafia going the wrong way.

Cecil Oerson did well for the visitors in attack, but was just not able to find the back of the net.

Mduduzi Mdladla scored the winner and only goal of this encounter in the 58th minute after a beautiful build-up which was started from the back with a low shot from close range.

The victory was the first for Bush Bucks coach Bruce Globblaars who was in charge of his first game since he was appointed last week.