Orlando Pirates extended their winless run in the DStv Premiership to four games following their 1-1 draw with Royal AM at the Orlando Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Buccaneers made four changes from the side that defeated CSMD Diables Noirs in the Caf Confederation Cup this past Sunday, as Bongani Sam, Olisa Ndah, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Abel Mabaso were all named in the starting lineup.

Mabasa should have handed Pirates the lead three minutes in when he was played through on goal by Fortune Makaringe, but the attacker blazed his effort wide of goal in a one-on-one situation with Royal AM keeper Hugo Nyame.

Royal would have thought they should’ve been awarded a penalty inside the 20th minute when Victor Letsoalo was through on goal before being brought down by Happy Jele, but the referee waved play on despite Royal’s appeal.

The visitors eventually took the lead in the 32nd minute when Levy Mashiane pounced on a defensive error by Pirates to slot the ball into an empty net to make it 1-0.

Pirates responded by levelling matters on the stroke of half time when Linda Mntambo unleashed a superb strike from a distance to loop the ball over the Royal keeper to find the top corner, sending the game into the break all square at 1-1.

The home side made their first substitution after the restart as Bandile Shandu was brought on to replace Sam before captain Jele was forced off the field through injury in the 52nd minute and replaced by Thulani Hlatshwayo.

Pirates had a chance to take the lead on the hour mark when Mntambo unleashed a strike at goal, but saw his effort sail off target after being played through on goal by Makaringe.

The Buccaneers made their third substitution three minutes later when Mabasa was taken off and replaced by forward Kwame Peprah before Collins Makgakga was brought on for Dzvukamanja in the 79th minute.

Mntambo had a chance to put the game to bed in the final nine minutes, but saw his effort skew off his boot as the game ended 1-1 in Soweto.