12/03/2011 10:48 PM - Black Leopards were unfortunate to go down by a 4-1 loss to Moroka Swallows in a Premiership clash in Dobsonville on Saturday evening.

Leopards drew first blood from Thabo Mongalo's header in the first half, while Swallows got their goals from David Mathebula, who netted a brace, Ashraf Hendricks, and Siyabonga Nomvethe, who scored from the spot.

And while Leopards, were stopped in their tracks after going unbeaten in their previous two matches, the Birds continued to soar in their comeback season.

Joshua Obaje took the first shot for the visitors in the fourth minute, but his effort sailed narrowly wide.

They took the lead, however, six minutes later when Mongalo found the back of the net.

Swallows held off the early charge and drew level when Mathebula fired in his first goal midway through the opening stanza and the sides went into the half-time break locked at 1-1.

Mpho Maleka, who combined well with Mathebula when he was introduced after the break, was brought down by Thabang Maluleke in the 55th minute and Nomevethe scored from the resultant penalty.

Hendricks stretched the gap with 16 minutes left when he fired in a header after connecting with a Mathebula free-kick.

And Mathebula himself put the game beyond reach of the visitors with a superb strike in the dying stages of the second half.

Leopards had a chance to pull one back but Greg Etafia did well to keep out Kingston Nkhatha's penalty attempt in additional time.