Orlando Pirates moved one point clear of Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the Absa Premiership standings after claiming a 2-2 draw against Cape Town City at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Milutin Sredojevic’s side came into this encounter on a four-match winning run, and are unbeaten in their last eight league games after their 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United in their previous match.

Meanwhile, Benni McCarthy’s men returned to winning ways after claiming a 2-0 win over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in their previous league encounter.

The last time the two sides met, the Citizens came from two goals down to register a 2-2 draw against the Buccaneers.

The home side got off to a perfect start and broke the deadlock inside the first 30 seconds from kick-off when Zukile Kewuti slotted the ball from from inside the box.

Pirates nearly levelled matters seven minutes later, but Thembinkosi Lorch was unable to guide his shot on target as it sailed wide of the post.

The visitors did manage to equalise after 16 minutes when Lorch was played through on goal before neatly finishing with his left foot.

Peter Leeuwenburgh kept the scoreline level when he came to his side’s rescue in the 26th minute to deny Vincent Pule’s goal-bound effort.

Pirates dominated the midfield battle after 30 minutes and prevented the Citizens from playing the type of game they enjoy.

Kewuti came close to handing his side the lead for the second time in the game, but he failed to guide his header on target after receiving a great cross from Thamsanqa Mkhize.

The game went into the half-time interval with the scoreline locked at 1-1.

Pirates came out guns blazing in the second half and took the lead early on when Luvuyo Memela slotted the ball home after the ball fell into his path following a scramble in the box.

Mhkize did well to keep his side in the game six minutes later after launching a last-minute challenge to stop Pirates from making it 3-1.

The home side had a chance to level matters in the 62nd minute when Chris David fired a dangerous corner into the box, but the City players failed to make any contact with the ball.

Craig Martin should have equalised seven minutes later when he found space to turn and shoot, but the City winger could not conjure up enough power behind his shot to beat Wayne Sandilands.

With 10 minutes left to play, City saw more possession of the ball as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, while Pirates invited them by sitting deep.

City’s persistence paid off as they managed to level matters in the 84th minute when Martin headed home a left-footed cross from Thato Mokeke.

Riyaad Norodien nearly found the winner in stoppage time with a well hit free kick that forced Sandilands into making a fine save to deny his attempt from outside the box.

Both sides pressed forward in search of a winning goal in the closing stages of the game, but were forced to share the spoils at Athlone Stadium.