A late goal by Lyle Foster helped Orlando Pirates claim a 1-1 draw with Polokwane City at the Orlando Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Saturday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The home side got off to a good start and had the first opportunity in the 10th minute when Justin Shonga forced George Chigova into making a save to deny his effort from inside the area.

Rise and Shine broke the deadlock eight minutes later as Jabu Maluleke’s cross found Dominic Chungwa, who fired his effort into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

The Buccaneers had an opportunity to pull a goal back in the 26th minute, but Mthokozisi Dube failed to get his shot away under press from the Polokwane defence.

Luvuyo Memela should’ve levelled the matter for the hosts in the 42nd minute, but the winger failed to trouble Chigova with his effort.

Pirates nearly equalised a minute later when Thabiso Kutumela fired his effort towards goal, but the forward steered his effort over the target.

Polokwane went into the half time interval with a one-goal lead over Pirates.

Milutin Sredojevic made his first change a few minutes after the break when he introduced Thembinkosi Lorch for Thabiso Kutumela as the home side looked to restore parity in the match.

At the other end, the visitors were comfortable enough to sit back and protect their narrow lead in the second half with the Buccaneers doing most of the attacking.

Lorch had a chance to restore parity when he unleashed a powerful strike from a distance after beating his markers, but the forward failed to trouble Chigova between the sticks for Polokwane.

The home side eventually levelled matters in the 86th minute as substitute Lyle Foster latched on to a loose ball after Polokwane failed to clear their lines before the youngster slotted the ball into the net off the pole to make it 1-1.

Neither side were able to find the winning goal in the closing stages as the match ended 1-1.

In other Absa Premiership results:

AmaZulu 2-0 SuperSport United

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix