Bidvest Wits were held to a goalless result they could scarcely afford in the Absa Premiership title race by awkward‚ gutsy Free State Stars at the Bivest Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday night.With PSL leaders Sundowns having had a four-point gap over Wits coming into the game‚ and notching the victories with metronomic regularity – they won again 2-0 against Jomo Cosmos earlier on Saturday evening – the Clever Boys were under pressure for a win.They met resolute‚ uncomfortable opponents in Stars and had to settle for a draw. The result has given Sundowns a six-point breathing space in the title race.Stars were reduced to 10 men when they had midfielder Nlhanhla Vilakazi sent off for a second bookable offence in the 61st minute‚ after a rash challenge on Daine Klate.Substitute Joaquim Lupeta spurned perhaps the chance of the game – one of a string to Wits in the second half – heading Jabulani Shongwe’s cross wide from four metres.Stars have given Wits trouble this season. After drawing 0-0 at in the league in late September the Free Staters beat the Johannesburg team 1-0 to boot them out of the Telkom Knockout‚ both matches played in Bethlehem.Ea Lla Koto have looked impressive under relatively unknown Giovanni Solinas in the second half of the season‚ coming into last night’s game in eighth.It seemed a mark of Wits coach Gavin Hunt’s respect for his opposition that he matched their three centrebacks with the same quantity of his own – starting with Bongani Khumalo‚ Buhle Mkhwanazi and Nazeer Allie as his back triumvirate.Wits were unusually pressed back on their pool table home surface by the game Free Staters in the first half‚ Solinas’s team even edging the scoring chances.In the second Hunt’s side stepped things up‚ and forced themselves onto the front foot‚ but could not finish their chances.Early on Sibusiso Vilakazi was put through on a run onto goal that seemed destined for a result‚ but Stars centre-back Paulus Masehe recovered well.Almost immediately at the other end influential playmaker Lucky Mohomoi floated in a cross that Nhlanhla Vilakazi ran onto to head and force a reflex save from Moeneeb Josephs.Stars harassed Wits high in their own half – which the organised‚ physical Clever Boys are not always used to on their home ground.It was Free State who had another good chance on goal‚ from a powerfully-struck shot from Mohomi in the 33rd minute after fashioning space for himself just outside the area.Wits upped the tempo markedly in the second half‚ forcing themselves up-field and penetrating Stars’ back four regularly.Ben Motswari’s corner fell to Henrico Botes at the far post‚ who attempted to sweep in past Stars goalkeeper Johnny Mathole‚ who got down well to the save.Phumlani Ntshangase’s chip into the middle found Sifiso Hlanti for a close-range free header that the left-back steered straight at Mathole.With Stars battling to clear a ball from their area in the 68th Siyabonga Nhlapo spooned a volley onto the right upright. Moments later Daine Klate had the ball at his feet and rolled a shot inches wide when you would have bet on the little winger to score.Then substitute James Keene‚ on for Botes‚ could not get a leg up just in front of Mathole. Wits had a convincing penalty shout turned down by referee Zolile Mthetho when Klate went down with 10 minutes left.Lupeta’s chance could have won it. It might prove a crucial miss for the title chasers...