Orlando Pirates suffered a major blow to their hopes of a late title push after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Steve Komphela’s Golden Arrows on Saturday evening.

The Buccaneers came into the game looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 loss against rivals Kaizer Chiefs and brought in Paseka Mako and Abel Mabaso both recalled at the expense of Innocent Maela and Mthokozisi Dube.

The home sides game plan was clear from the onset as they looked to allow Pirates to have to ball while they kept their shape and looked to play on the counter.

Pirates though were beginning to build-up pressure and they almost took the lead with 19 minutes gone as Sfiso Mlungwana was alert enough to keep out with Vincent Pule’s dipping free-kick from long range.

Komphela’s chargers were proving well drilled and were making things difficult for the Soweto giants as they managed to restrict the attacking threat of the Sea Robbers for much of the first half.

0-0 at half time with Pirates keeper Wayne Sandilands rarely called into action.

Pirates looked to assert their authority on Arrows at the start of the second half but they were almost caught out on the break seven minutes into the half as Know Mutizwa was sent through on goal, his shot though was well blocked by Happy Jele.

The longer the game went on the more and more confident Komphela’s men looked heading into the latter stages of the game.

Pirates responded well to the pressure which set up an exciting finish, but despite the home side having a big penalty claim turned down after Seth Parusnath appeared to have been brought down by Ntsikelelo Nyauza, neither side could find the way to goal and had to settle for a point each.