Black Leopards put up a gallant display but were unfortunate to see their one-goal lead go as Santos scored a dramatic late equaliser in a Premiership encounter in Cape Town on Wednesday evening.

The hosts could have taken a second minute lead if Wayne Arendse had been more accurate with his header from Erwin Isaacs' perfectly-flighted free kick.

Isaacs himself was lively in the opening minutes, steering a 15th minute volley over the bar and not going too wide with a speculative drive soon after.

Leopards waited until nine minutes for their first opportunity, which saw Nkosiyabo Xakane's header saved by Tshepo Motsoeneng.

Midway through the first half, ‘Lidoda Duvha’ worked their way into the game and they opened the scoring after 34 minutes, courtesy of a well converted glancing volley from Rodney Ramogalela following Mongezi Bobe's accurate cross.

The Peoples' Team had the first opportunity of the second half when Isaacs saw his volley pushed away by Postnett Omony in the 55th minute.

Fifteen minutes later the visitors almost stretched their advantage when some slick passing resulted in Thomas Madimba firing a strike at an empty goal, but Arendse saved the day with a clearance off the line.

Eleazar Rodgers had a great chance to draw Santos level with 10 minutes left, but he found no power on his header following Salmaan King's cross.

King had an even better chance himself five minutes later, but headed over the bar from right in front of goal, as did Vuyisile Wana with three minutes remaining on the clock.

Wana then hit the upright before the home side's luck finally changed as Rodgers struck from 12 metres out to turn home Shaun Sopio's driven cross.