A late Roland Putsche goal earned Cape town City a point in their 2-2 draw with Baroka FC at the Cape Town Stadium in their Absa Premiership clash on Saturday night.

City came into the game after a solid start to the year with a 1-0 win over SuperSport United, and were undoubtedly looking for the three points as they continue their quest to climb the table.

Baroka, on the other hand, kicked off their year with a 2-1 loss against Black Leopards, which saw them drop perilously close to the bottom of the table and subsequently desperate for a result.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes, Benni McCarthy’s men came close to opening the scoring when Taariq Fielies rose to meet a set piece, but his effort cannoned off the upright before Putsche’s rebound was cleared off the line.

The home side continued to push forward but were struggling to create clear-cut chances despite a number of crosses being delivered into the box.

Then, on the stroke of half-time City grabbed their opener after Siphelele Mthembu’s header hit the upright before Elvis Chipezeze fumbled the ball, allowing Ayanda Patosi to tap home and give his side the lead.

1-0 at the break with City buoyant after their late opener.

Baroka came out firing in the second half however, and it took them just five minutes to find the equaliser. Matome Mabeba broke down the right flank before whipping in a devilish ball into the six-yard box that found the run of Tebogo Sodi who made no mistake with his finish.

Only six minutes later the away side were awarded a penalty as a cross hit Thato Mokeke’s hand, who was in the box looking to block the cross, and the penalty pointed to the spot despite the protests from the City players.

Jemondre Dickens was handed the spot-kick duties and he made no mistake smashing his effort past Peter Leeuwenburgh in the City goal.

The Citizens almost hit back instantly as Putsche hit a pile-driver from range, but for the second time in the game they were denied by the frame of the goal.

City then threw bodies forward in the last 20 minutes as they looked to find an equaliser.

Baroka, try as they might, just couldn’t hold on to their lead as Putsche grabbed the equaliser for City with five minutes remaining. Baroka failed to deal with the cross as a poor clearance bobbled to the Austrian midfielder, who rifled home his shot.

City grabbing a point late on, while Baroka would have been disappointed after coming so close to what would have been a crucial victory.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix