Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns played out to a 1-1 draw in their top of the table clash in the Absa Premiership on Saturday evening at the Bidvest Stadium.

Coming into the encounter Wits were looking to hold on to top spot while also looking to extend the gap on second place Sundowns to five points, although the Brazilians have the luxury of two catch up games.

The Clever Boys have had a few ups and downs since the turn of the year which has opened the door to Sundowns and the rest of the chasing pack.

The sides drew their first encounter of the season and a similar result would probably suit both sides as they look to battle it out for league honours. A win, however, would undoubtedly provide the victor with a timely confidence boost heading into the business end of the season.

The Brazilians got off to the perfect start as Phakamani Mahlambi reacted quickly to fire home a rebound after Darren Keet saved Themba Zwane’s initial effort with just 6 minutes played.

The home side were shocked into action and immediately went in search of an equaliser and almost got it in the 11th minute as Gift Motupa shaved the outside of the post with a header following a well taken free kick.

Dennis Onyango was then called into action 5 minutes later to deny Motupa before Zwane had a golden chance to double the visitors’ advantage, but he could not beat Keet in the Wits goal.

Motupa finally got his goal in the 30th minute as he caught Ricardo Nascimento in possession on the edge of the box before driving forward and chipping the outrushing Onyango to level the scores.

Things then went from bad to worse for the Brazilians as they were reduced to 10-men in the 36th minute. Wayne Arendse hauling down Motupa, who was through on goal, leaving the referee with little option but to show the red card.

Gavin Hunt’s men the looked to grab the lead before the break but Downs composed themselves to keep the score at 1-1 heading into the break.

Wits came out strong in the second half and almost grabbed their second in the 51st minute but Fagrie Lakay’s glancing header flew just wide following a wicked cross from Sfiso Hlanti.

The home side continued to press forward while Pitso Mosimane’s men were clearly happy to sit back and look to play on the counter.

Chances were proving difficult to come by in the second half as they game begun to become a scrappy affair.

Neither side could find a way to goal as Downs did well to hold off Wits despite being a man down for the entire second half.

Photo: Gavin Barker/Backpagepix