Black Leopards and 10-man Platinum Stars played out to a thrilling 2-2 draw in their promotional playoff clash at the Moruleng Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Dikwena came out with more intent and saw more possession of the ball in the opening exchanges of the game.

Letsie Koapeng nearly broke the deadlock when he unleashed a strike at goal, but his effort sailed over the target.

Dino Visser came to his side’s rescue minutes later when he produced a fine save to keep out the visitors’ only attempt at goal.

Stars eventually took the lead after 23 minutes when Koapeng fired his effort into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

The visitors looked dangerous in attack, but were finding it hard to break down Dikwena’s defence.

However, Stars managed to take a one-goal lead over Leopards as the match went into the half-time interval.

Leopards came out guns blazing in the second half and levelled matters in spectacular fashion when Mwape Musonda found the back of the net with a superb bicycle kick.

Following the goal, the visitors started gaining momentum, playing in the Dikwena half while testing the Stars shot-stopper on numerous occasions.

Dikwena were then dealt a major blow when Nyik Tshabangu received his marching orders for his second bookable offence in the match.

The home side made the first change of the game when they brought Bongi Ntuli on to replace Gerald Phiri.

Leopards goalkeeper Rotshidzwa Muleka came to his side’s rescue when he made a great save to keep out Koapeng’s headed effort.

Koapeng then made it 2-1 when he gave Dikwena the lead in the 84th minute.

Leopards levelled matters for the second time in the game three minutes later when Musonda scored his second goal of the match.

Neither side were able to find the winning goal in the closing stages of the game as the match ended 2-2 at the Moruleng Stadium.