Maritzburg United and Marumo Gallants FC played an entertaining 2-2 draw in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday evening.
United managed to have defender Bradley Cross back from a two-match suspension, as Gallants surprisingly started Ranga Chivaviro with Letsie Koapeng as the sole man up top.
In a tense start to the clash, both teams didn't have a lot of joy inside the final entries with much of the play centered in the middle of the park.
Maritzburg, though, started to take control of proceedings around the half-hour mark and began to make in-roads in the defensive-third of their counterparts.
Thus, the Team of Choice remained on the front and bagged the opener after a scorcher from way out by Brandon Theron clattered in off the woodwork and in the net.
Gallants did come close to go in the break level through efforts from Koapeng, Katlego Otladisa and Monde Mphambaniso, but neither managed to beat King Ndlovu.
Two substitutions from the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists had Sibusiso Khumalo on for Mphambaniso before Lesiba Nku made way for Edgar Manaka.
Maritzburg eagerly looked to hold onto their cushion early into the second period and encountered a pretty a decent opening to the resumption.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa didn't lose their heads despite trailing the host and levelled it up when substitute Chivaviro pounced on a loose ball in the box and rolled in from close-range.
The Team of Choice though got back in front with ten minutes to go after Amadou Soukouna stepped up to the penalty spot and fired in following a foul.
However, within stoppage time and full-time on the horizo, the visitors secured a point when Mpho Mvelase nodded in a free-kick to see the points shared and boost their survival hopes.
Confirmed line-ups:
Maritzburg United: Ndlovu, De Goede, Theron, Meza, Ndengane, Cross, Makume, Soukouna, Moloisane, Human, Kimvuidi
Subs: Leaner, Graham, Peprah, Bhengu, Palace, Njoti, Conco, Samu, Jooste
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Gumede, Mvelase, Nku, Toure, Mabotja, Mohomi, Sibeko, Mphambaniso, Otladisa, Koapeng
Subs: Watenga, Kumalo, Chivaviro, Manaka, Nkili, Mdlinzo, Makadubela, Ngema.
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