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A late goal in the first half from Jonathan Armogam was cancelled out by a Bradley Grobler penalty midway through the second stanza in a game that on the balance of play and chances, the home side will feel they could have won.
Stars enjoyed the better of the early stages, indeed for most of the first half they had more of the ball possession and provided a fairly constant threat down the wings through Thuso Phala and Dillon Sheppard.
However, the inability to create clear-cut chances, and the failure to convert the few opportunities that did arise proved to be costly.
In the eight minute Dikwena could have counted themselves unlucky not to have taken the lead when Phelelani Mpangase scrambled the ball goalwards after Sheppard’s corner.
However, the ball was deflected off the line, unwittingly by team-mate Phala.
Six minutes later Grobler spurned a good chance when he shot wide of the near post with an angled effort from just inside the box.
For the remainder of the half the hosts continued to probe, but without much joy, while Owen da Gama’s charges were hardly forced to break into a sweat in defence as Vasco failed to offer much threat in attack.
But just before the break Sibusiso Zuma turned the game on its head.
The veteran jinked inside and then out again, before getting in a shot with the outside of his boot across the goal-mouth.
Keeper Tapuwa Kapini could only push the ball into Armogam’s path, who was able to hold off Stanley Kgatla to net from five yards out.
Following the restart, status quo was maintained as far as the pattern of the game was concerned -- Stars continued to enjoy superiority, without reward.
Kagiso Senemela missed a decent opportunity nine minutes in, before Grobler hit the side-netting and then blasted a half volley over.
But the North West side finally made the breakthrough in the 74th minute, via a Grobler penalty.
The spot kick was a tight call, given for a challenge by Mokete Tsotetsi on Stanley Kgatla just inside the box.
The goal provided fresh impetus for the hosts, who started to pour forward in numbers, forcing the Cape side into rearguard action.
Indeed, they were saved from defeat in the 83rd minute when Postnett Omony pulled off a breathtaking save from Grobler’s header after Tsotetsi had lost his man.
Stars enjoyed most of the advantage in the late action, but the Vasco goal was not unduly threatened as the Cape side held on for a point that they would be happy with.
