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Durban - Maritzburg United and Wits shared the points when they played to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership match contested at a rain-drenched Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
Ryan Chapman gave the visitors the lead in the first half but Diyo Sibisi leveled matters with a stoppage time equaliser.
In a game of two halves, Wits were more dominant in the first half but the home side was more determined in the second stanza.
The point keeps United in 14th position-just above the bottom two, but more importantly, above Moroka Swallows who are hot on their heels.
Wits will feel aggrieved at not collecting maximum points from this encounter and were about a minute away from making a successful raid in KZN, though the point earned will consolidate the sixth position on the standings.
United started purposefully and could have taken the lead during the early exchanges with the chances they created.
Kurt Lentjies powered his way into Wits territory penalty area and fired a firm drive, but it was directed straight at keeper Darren Keet.
In the fifth minute United forward Diyo Sibisi guided a volley on target which Keet blocked, the rebound fell for Fadlu Davids who was unable to beat the goalie with his close-range header.
Wits opted to start cautiously and seemed to come to life after taking the lead in the 12th minute. Chapman’s headed goal put them ahead when the striker made good contact with Asive Langwe’s corner kick.
The visitor’s horded possession with Sibusiso Vilakazi pulling the strings in the centre of the park for the Clever Boys - he got good support from fellow midfielders Stanton Fredericks and Kampamba Chintu.
Chapman came close to extending the Wits lead in the 44th minute when he let rip with a thumping drive from just outside the penalty area which forced United’s keeper to keep out at full stretch.
The Team of Choice was forced to play on the break and their best chance came seconds before the interval when Lentjies put Sibisi clear for a one-on-one situation with Keet, but the striker hit a low strike which ricocheted off the keeper’s legs.
The home side was more assertive from the start of the second half and could have drawn level when Patrick Phungwayo’s defensive clearance nearly flew into the Wits’ goals.
There was more frustration for United, two minutes later. Sibisi had the Wits goals at his mercy but was unable to connect with Felix Obada’s cross which split open the visitors defence.
Mark Haskins seemed to have been surprised by the amount of time and space the United defence gave him in the 73rd minute, as a result he hit his effort into the grateful arms of Walters.
Sibisi eventually restored parity in injury time when he headed Obada’s cross on target.
Ryan Chapman gave the visitors the lead in the first half but Diyo Sibisi leveled matters with a stoppage time equaliser.
In a game of two halves, Wits were more dominant in the first half but the home side was more determined in the second stanza.
The point keeps United in 14th position-just above the bottom two, but more importantly, above Moroka Swallows who are hot on their heels.
Wits will feel aggrieved at not collecting maximum points from this encounter and were about a minute away from making a successful raid in KZN, though the point earned will consolidate the sixth position on the standings.
United started purposefully and could have taken the lead during the early exchanges with the chances they created.
Kurt Lentjies powered his way into Wits territory penalty area and fired a firm drive, but it was directed straight at keeper Darren Keet.
In the fifth minute United forward Diyo Sibisi guided a volley on target which Keet blocked, the rebound fell for Fadlu Davids who was unable to beat the goalie with his close-range header.
Wits opted to start cautiously and seemed to come to life after taking the lead in the 12th minute. Chapman’s headed goal put them ahead when the striker made good contact with Asive Langwe’s corner kick.
The visitor’s horded possession with Sibusiso Vilakazi pulling the strings in the centre of the park for the Clever Boys - he got good support from fellow midfielders Stanton Fredericks and Kampamba Chintu.
Chapman came close to extending the Wits lead in the 44th minute when he let rip with a thumping drive from just outside the penalty area which forced United’s keeper to keep out at full stretch.
The Team of Choice was forced to play on the break and their best chance came seconds before the interval when Lentjies put Sibisi clear for a one-on-one situation with Keet, but the striker hit a low strike which ricocheted off the keeper’s legs.
The home side was more assertive from the start of the second half and could have drawn level when Patrick Phungwayo’s defensive clearance nearly flew into the Wits’ goals.
There was more frustration for United, two minutes later. Sibisi had the Wits goals at his mercy but was unable to connect with Felix Obada’s cross which split open the visitors defence.
Mark Haskins seemed to have been surprised by the amount of time and space the United defence gave him in the 73rd minute, as a result he hit his effort into the grateful arms of Walters.
Sibisi eventually restored parity in injury time when he headed Obada’s cross on target.
