TS Galaxy dropped to 13th on the DStv Premiership log after a 1-0 defeat to Marumo Gallants at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.

Going into the match, the Gallants were bottom of the log and had not registered a win in the 2022/23 season. They fought for the three log points with a gritty display of football.

It was a satisfying night for former TS Galaxy and newly appointed Marumo Gallants coach, Dan Malesela.

They moved up to 14th place on the log.

TS Galaxy were poor on the night. They could not buy a goal.

The Mpumalanga team have scored three goals in nine games and are just one place from the relegation zone.

They are back were they were last season. There was no accurate firepower up front and their mission to finish in the top eight this season is in tatters.

Despite having 54% of the possession, The Rockets were outplayed at Mbombela Stadium.

They had 13 shots, of which only two were on target.

Marumo Gallants had eight shots, of which two were on target.

TS Galaxy had a nervous start, but soon settled down and had the better of the attacking play.

Their inability to shoot on-target kept Gallants in the game.

The visitors were patient, and in the 38th minute scored against the run of play when Sede Dion trapped a cross kick from Katlego Otladisa in the centre of the box and shot past Melusi Buthelezi before he could react.

The goal lifted the Gallants, and Galaxy were under pressure for the rest of the match. They had to play catch-up before they could even think of a victory.

The home team’s coaching staff rang the changes after half-time with Bathusi Aubaas, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Bernard Parker coming on in an attempt to dominate and create scoring opportunities.

It was not to be. The chances came, but the players could simply not get a shot on-target.

Marumo Gallants soaked up the pressure and created a few chances of their own, but could not add another goal.

It was not until the 55th minute that Galaxy had a shot on-target. Parker’s shot from outside the box lacked power, and an easy save was made by Washington Arubi.

The next chance came in the 78th minute, but Joseph Malongoane’s attempt into the top left corner was saved by Arubi.

The Rockets’ preseason talk of not putting themselves under pressure by avoiding the relegation zone, is one match away from coming back and biting them.

TS Galaxy will face Moroka Swallows at Mbombela Stadium at 15:30 on Saturday. If they do not find the back of the net, they will be in serious danger of a second, consecutive home DStv Premiership defeat.