Bidvest Wits missed out on the chance to go top of the Absa Premiership table after playing out to a 1-1 draw with a 10-man Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The match got off to a good start in the opening exchanges of the match with both side’s seeing possession of the ball going forward.

The Team of Choice came close to opening the scoring in the 14 minutes but Weidlich saw his effort guided away from the target from six yards out.

The Clever Boys had an opportunity of their own to take the lead in the 39th minute when Phakamani Mahalambi picked out Mhango in the box but his attempt went just wide of the Maritzburg goal.

On the stroke of half-time Maritzburg suffered a major blow when captain Kurt Lentjies was shown a straight red card for dangerous tackle as the match went into the half time interval locked at 0-0.

The Students came out firing in the second half and broke the deadlock in te 69th minute when Mahlambi beat his marker before playing Malajila through on goaal, who guided the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

However, Maritzburg levelled matters in the in the 73rd minute when Mokate put the ball into the back of the net from close range, after Bevan Fransman’s header was cleared off the line.

Neither side could find the decisive goal in the closing stages of the match as they share a point each at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix