Orlando Pirates missed the chance to overtake Kaizer Chiefs in the DStv Premiership standings after they played out to a 1-1 draw with Soweto rivals Swallows FC at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Buccaneers got off to the perfect start as they found the back of the net in the third minute when Bandile Shandu knocked the ball past Virgil Vries after being played in by Fortune Makaringe.
The Dube Birds were back on level peggings in the 15th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Ruzaigh Gamildien stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Monnapule Saleng had a chance to take the lead after 26 minutes from a one-on-one with Siyabonga Mpontshane, but Shandu did well to deflect the ball out for a corner.
Thembinkosi Lorch combined well with Terrence Dzvukamanja two minutes later before almost curling his effort into the far corner, but his attempt narrowly missed target.
Swallows dominated proceedings in the latter stages of the first half as the game went into the half-time break locked at 1-1.
Pirates had a chance to take the lead early in the second half when Lorch floated a ball into the box, but there were enough maroon jerseys in the area to avert the danger.
Swallows should have taken the lead on the hour mark but Mahlatsi saw his effort from close range cleared off the line by Mako to keep the scoreline level.
Pirates then opted to bring on fresh legs a minute later as Lorch and Shadu were replaced by Kabelo Dlamini and Kwanda Mngonyama, respectively.
The Dube Birds continued to pile the pressure on Pirates after 70 minutes, dominating proceedings as they went in search of the winning goal.
Pirates made another double substitution a minute later as Goodman Mosele and Boitumelo Radiopane were brought on to replace Dzvukamanja and Peprah, before Makaringe’s long-range effort flew diagonally across the face of goal two minutes later.
Hotto continued to cause Swallows problems in the closing stages and nearly forced an own goal after his shot deflected off Letlabika.
Both sides pressed forward in the final stages but neither could score the winner and to share the spoils in the Soweto derby.
Other DStv Premiership results:
Marumo Gallants FC 0-0 Cape Town City FC
Marumo Gallants and Cape Town City were forced to settle for a point apiece after playing out to a goalless draw in the DStv Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The draw has Bahlabane Ba Ntwa sitting in 11th place in the league standings with 18 points after 15 games, while the Citizens are one place ahead in 10, on 19 points from 14 matches.
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Baroka FC
10-man Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership after they edged Baroka FC to claim a 2-1 win at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
With the win, the Brazilians remain at the top of the league standings with 40 points from 16 games, with Bakgaga bottom-dwelling on 10 points from 15 matches.
AmaZulu 2-2 Chippa United
A brace by Luvuyo Memela rescued a point as AmaZulu fought back to earn a thrilling 2-2 draw with Chippa United in the DStv Premiership match at the Jonsson Kings Park Stadium.
The draw kept the Chilli Boys in 15th place in the league standings with 12 points from 15 games, while Usuthu remain in eighth on 21 points from 17 matches.
