Stars held by Maritzburg

Bethlehem - Free State Stars and Maritzburg United have played to a 1-1 stalemate in their Absa Premiership encounter at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.

Kwanda Mngonyama struck early for United, with Moeketsi Sekola finding the equaliser in the second half for the hosts.

United got off to a flying start when they were awarded a freekick in the second minute which Thamsanqa Mkhize played for Mngonyama to tuck home for the opener.

Ea Lla Koto had a chance to draw level in the 11th minute but Moffat Mdluli's final touch was a disappointing one as he rifled the ball wide.

Stars surged forward in search of the equaliser and Katlego Mashego sent in a beautiful cross but there were no takers and goalkeeper Virgil Vries collected the ball with ease in the 20th minute.

In the 27th minute the Team of Choice had a great chance with a corner taken by Tumelo Letuka but former Ghana international defender John Pantsil came to the rescue with emphatic clearance.

In the 35th minute United had a chance to double their lead before the break but Mkhize's venomous shot was blocked out by Bokang Thlone.

On the stroke of halftime Nhlanhla Vilakazi was booked for a foul Moeketsi Sekola and Robert Sankara took the resultant setpiece for Stars but powerful shot was collected by Vries.

In the second half Stars came back a much more rejuvenated side and they were rewarded for the efforts in the 56th minute as the evergreen Sekola levelled matters with a fine finish.

In the 72nd minute, Khumbulani Banda produced a moment of brilliance and blasted the ball at goal, but goalkeeper Ayanda Mtshali pulled off a superb save to deny United.

Stars captain Paulos Masehe tried to take matters into his own hands as he did well to beat his marker but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Banda in the 83rd minute.

Thebakang followed up with another ferocious effort in 89th minute but missed the target much to the relief of United.