All Black flyhalf Tony Brown amassed all the Highlanders' points in a dramatic 21-20 victory over the Stormers in their Super 12 match at Newlands on Saturday.

For the second time this season following on the defeat to the Waratahs, a dropped goal proved the undoing of the Stormers, with Brown's effort in the 65th minute the visitors' final scoring act.

Earlier, he had succeeded with six penalties.

Stormers fullback Percy Montgomery had an opportunity to clinch a vital and potential match-winning lead in the 72nd minute, but his penalty struck the right upright.

The match was a tense affair, with the teams deadlocked 12-12 at halftime, but ultimately the Highlanders were deserved winners as they had the better of the game over the full length.

Their forwards, in particular, were in fine form, while the Stormers made mistakes under pressure in the second half. Gert Smal's men, in fact, struggled initially to get their hands on the ball as they weathered a fierce onslaught, but were nevertheless the first on the scoreboard after the Highlanders infringed at a ruck and Montgomery stepped up to slot the penalty.

Six minutes later, however, Brown had the Highlanders on level terms. This exchange of penalties set the trend for the half, with Montgomery putting the Stormers in the lead on three more occasions, only for Brown to cancel out the advantage.

While the Highlanders enjoyed an advantage in terms of quality territory and possession, the Stormers were highly committed in defence. This was typified by captain Corne Krige, who put in one fierce tackle on Highlanders No 8 Kelvin Middleton.

Krige, however, crucially knocked on towards the end as the Stormers went frantically in search of a late score to clinch the match.

The Stormers had nevertheless got their second half off to an excellent start when Werner Greeff (pictured) dotted down after a beautifully weighted kick from left wing Pieter Rossouw into the Highlanders area.

Although there was a suspicion of a knock-on in the try, the television match official ruled in the Stormers' favour, giving them a 17-12 lead.

But the Highlanders, now coached by former All Black coach Laurie Mains, showed plenty of character and fought back in committed fashion as the Stormers wilted under the pressure.

The home side were particularly disappointing in the lineouts in the second half and there will be some hard talking between hooker Tjoepie van den Heever and lock Hottie Louw before the next home game against the Brumbies.

Brown got the Highlanders within two points with a penalty right from under the Stormers' posts in the 49th minute and added another in the 58th. Seven minutes later came the dropped goal, which proved decisive, despite another Montgomery penalty in the 69th.

The Stormers almost clinched the game with a late touchdown from substitute centre Wayne Julies, but the effort was ruled out by the television match official as Greeff was ruled to be out when he made the final pass.

Although Brown's name is the only one reflected among the Highlanders scorers, he will surely be quick to praise his forwards, with loosehead prop Joe McDonnell and hooker Anton Oliver both in good form.

Scrumhalf Byron Kelleher scooped the man-of-the-match award for his impressive display behind the Highlanders pack.

Scorers:

Highlanders - Penalties: Tony Brown (6); Drop goal: Brown.

Stormers - Try: Werner Greeff; Penalties: Percy Montgomery (5).