Champions held by Chippa

It took just five minutes for the first real chance, with Manti Moholo having his shot tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly.

More chances arrived as Larry Cohen fired wide from range and then William Twala spurned a great opportunity when he tried unsuccessfully to pick out Ngebo instead of shooting following a slip-up from Thabo Matlaba.

Matlaba was off target with a shot from 30-yards as action continued to move from goalmouth to goalmouth.

Chippa had a further chance to score in the first half, but Msekelei Mvalo had his header cleared off the line by Daine Klate.

Chippa were nearly in front on the hour-mark when Senzo Meyiwa did superbly to keep Happy Jele’s back-pass out of his net, and then made a magnificent diving save to stop James Okwuoso hitting the top corner.

For the most part it was Pirates who were on top for the closing stages, but their efforts were confined to shots from range, with Kassaly not overly troubled.

The shot-stopper did, however, still have work to do when he made a top-class save to prevent Oupa Manyisa from netting in injury-time.

The result leaves Bucs three points behind Kaizer Chiefs ahead of Saturday's Soweto Derby.