Moroka Swallows (0) 0 - Orlando Pirates (0) 0
It was amazing and almost unbelievable that, even at half time, the two teams were deadlocked despite numerous opportunities for both teams - more so the visitors - to grab an early goal.
However, a point was enough to see Pirates topple Mamelodi Sundowns, who were beaten 2-1 at home by Platinum Stars last night.
Bucs lead the Brazilians by a single point at the summit of Absa Premiership table.
But Pirates could have been sitting comfortably on top of the log table had they taken advantage of the opening 20 minutes of this thrilling encounter .
They will now have to pull out all the stops in their remaining five league games to successfully defend their league title.
The Dube Birds are third on the log and trail leaders Pirates by four points.
But the title race is so wide open after Sundowns' loss that even Supersport United and Kaizer Chiefs have a chance to clinch it.
The Buccaneers were hungry for a win last night and should have opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute when striker Benni McCarthy's free kick hit the side netting.
Three minutes later, it was his strike partner, Tokelo Rantie, who should have put Pirates ahead, but he shot wide of goal and gave Swallows time to regroup.
But Pirates pressed even harder and were twice denied by the woodwork.
Swallows' goalkeeper Greg Etafia was also the man standing between Pirates and breaking the deadlock.
Etafia, against all odds, saved from Klate and McCarthy minutes apart to keep Swallows in the game.
Swallows picked themselves up in the second half, forcing Pirates to desperately rely on their goal minder Moeneeb Josephs to keep the ball out of his net.
The Dube Birds' first chance at goal was a shot from distance skied over the bar by Sibusiso Kumalo.
On the stroke of half time, former Buccaneer Bennett Chenene danced around the Pirates defenders but Lucky Lekgwathi snuck in behind him to clear the ball from danger.
McCarthy was to hit the post one more time in referee's optional time.
But it was a much better showing from Swallows in the second half.
Inconsistency continued to blight Sundowns' march to the league championship as they sunk to a 2-1 loss to Platinum Stars at Lucas Moripe stadium last night, Kgomotso Sethusha reports.
It's certainly their story of the season - lack of consistency, inability to win at home and a total lack of guile at a time when they need to be at their sharpest.
The writing was on the wall for the home side as soon as they fell behind to a Patrick Malokase's opener, a beautiful lob over Calvin Marlin in the 27th minute.
Though Sundowns levelled matters through Teko Modise in the 27th minute, Stars rode their luck as they regained the lead through Sibusiso Msomi near the hour mark.
Msomi thundered in the second for Stars, timing to perfection a rebound after the Sundowns defence had cleared.
Ruzaigh Gamildien and Thokozani Mshengu's first-half goals gave Bloemfontein Celtic a 2-1 win over bottom-of-the-log Jomo Cosmos at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Veteran striker Alton Meiring pulled one back for Cosmos in the 53rd minute for Cosmos, who are now facing the real possibility of relegation.
Thabiso Nkoana continued with his fine form for Supersport United when he steered them to a 1-0 victory over struggling Santos at Athlone stadium in Cape Town.
A 77th-minute goal by Ramson Zhuwawo gave Amazulu a 1-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows in a KwaZulu-Natal derby at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.
Wits' marathon winless streak was extended to 10 matches with last night's 1-1 draw against Ajax Cape Town at Milpark, writes Marc Strydom.
The Cape Town side opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a sweeping counter-attack that ended with Thembinkosi "Terror" Fanteni rolling a finish past stranded goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro.
Wits levelled through a soft 57-minute goal from Timothy Batabaire.
Relegation candidates Black Leopards played to a 2-2 draw against Free State Stars at Charles Mopeli Stadium in an afternoon match. - Additional reporting by sports staff
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