Nazier Allie and Daylon Claasen came into Ernst Middendorp's Maritzburg starting lineup as Phunya Sele Sele coach John Maduka made several alterations from the loss to Orlando Pirates in midweek.
The first sight at goal came Maritzburg's way. Thabiso Kutumela played in Daylon Claasen who slotted it into the bottom left corner but the linesman flagged for offside.
In the 18th minute, Bongokuhle Hlongwane picked it up on the right and used the overlap from Claasen as a decoy before cutting in and firing himself but his effort just cleared the crossbar.
Four minutes later, Jose Ali Meza recycled the attack out to Kutumela who delivered deep to the far post. Hlongwane rode highest but failed to keep his header on target.
Hlongwane was running riot. This time Claasen clipped it over the top for him to run onto but he dragged his effort from the inside right channel wide of goal.
With five minutes to go before the interval, Ryan Rae floated in a long throw that caused trouble in the Celtic defence before it was cleared off the head of Riyaaz Ismail.
And just when it looked as if the sides would be going into the break all square, Kutumela curled in a free kick from the edge of the box into the left-hand corner.
In the 53rd minute, Hachi found Hlongwane with a ball over the top and the striker cut inside before firing a left footed shot but his effort was blocked in the centre of the box.
Kutumela then lead a counter and slid in Claasen down the left. The midfielder got to the by-line but his cross was blocked away for a corner.
The Free State outfit got themselves back on level terms with 28 minutes to go in the contest, with Menzi Ndwandwe restoring parity for the home side.
Maritzburg were reduced to ten men for the final seconds of the game as Clayton Daniels was sent off, leaving Middendorp's men in 15th spot.
Celtic: Mabokgwane, Mahashe, Rikhotso, Chabalala, Baloyi, Ndwandwe, Kobedi, Potsane, Ngobeni, Letsoalo, Maema.
Subs: Mpoto, Ncobeni, Luthuli, Pfumbidzai, Phalane, Mofokeng, Lingwati, Van de Ross, Masuku.
Maritzburg: Engelhardt, Daniels, Ismail, Claasen, Morgan, Shandu, Rae, Tlolane, Meza, Kutumela, Hlongwane
Subs: Mpandle, Hachi, Carnell, Ngwane, Sifama, Moseamedi, Modise, Hlubi, Bhengu.