Highlands Park picked up their first win of the Absa Premiership season after rallying from behind to record a 2-1 triumph over AmaZulu at Makhulong Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Usuthu drew first blood through Bongi Ntuli in the 40th minute before Tendai Ndoro levelled matters from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time. However, it was Peter Shalulile who had the last say, firing home in the 62nd minute to help the Lions of the North to a much-needed victory.

AmaZulu threatened early in the contest and gave the home side a scare in the eight minute when Andre de Jong broke into the danger area before seeing his goal-bound shot blocked by the defence.

They again went close in the 20th minute as Ntuli burst into the box before firing the ball straight into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni.

And that close call proved to be a sign of what was to come as Ovidy Karuru turned his marker, causing chaos in the box, and the ball fell kindly for Ntuli, who duly obliged by smashing the ball into the top-left corner from close range.

AmaZulu’s lead didn’t last long, though, as Highlands Park were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time after Shalulile was brought down in the danger area. Ndoro made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick as he fired into the top-right corner to make it 1-1.

The visitors again started brightly after the break, but a 51st-minute free-kick came to nothing after Karuru was felled on the edge of the box.

They were made to rue that missed opportunity as the Lions of North went on to claim the lead just 10 minutes later, Ryan Rae putting the ball on a platter for Shalulile to finish from inside the six-yard box.

AmaZulu redoubled their efforts after falling behind, with Mhlengi Cele striking the defensive wall from a free-kick, before Karuru saw his goal ruled out for a foul on a defender.