Former Absa Premiership giants Moroka Swallows kept their survival hopes alive in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League conference, while Orange Vaal closed in on the top two, who dropped points in week 26.

Former Absa Premiership giants Moroka Swallows kept their survival hopes alive in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League conference, while Orange Vaal closed in on the top two, who dropped points in week 26.

Swallows boosted their hopes of survival in the third tier of South African football with a 1-0 win away to Vaal Professionals FC.

The Dube Birds have suffered relegation from the Absa Premiership and National First Division in the last two seasons, but the victory in week 26 pulls them to within two points of 14th place Garankuwa United, who drew 1-1 with Alexandra United.

Vaal Professional and M. Tigers sit in 12th and 13th spot respectively level on 25 points, although they sit three points above the drop zone.

Switching to the title race, leaders JDR Stars and second place Maccabi remain level on 52 points after both sides drew over the weekend.

JDR were held to a 1-1 draw by Alexandra Black Aces, while Maccabi played out the same scoreline at African All Stars.

Orange Vaal Professionals, who sit in third spot, took full advantage of the leading duo’s slip ups, as they recorded a 2-1 win over AmaBee FC at the Qedilizwe Stadium.

The victory moves Orange Vaal up to 49 points, three adrift of JDR and Maccabi heading into the business end of the campaign.