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Cape Town - Ten-man Free State Stars put up a spirited display to secure a 2-2 draw against defending champions Bidvest Wits at Goble Park on Wednesday.
The Clever Boys came into the fixture as Premiership champions but were looking to end a three-year hoodoo at Goble Park, where they've failed to register three points since 2014.
With coach Gavin Hunt still serving his touchline ban, assistant Paul Johnstone remained in charge and handed 17-year-old Kobamelo Kodisang his debut.
Signed from Platinum Stars in the off-season, the mercurial talent skinned his marker to make his way to the byline before his dangerous cross somehow found its way into the net through the hands of keeper Badra Ali Sangare.
Stars managed to withhold the relentless pressure the pacey visitors inflicted in the opening stages and got their foot on the ball to carve a few half-chances. The hosts were duly rewarded when Relebogile Makhouane scored a spectacular equaliser.
Makhehlene Makhaula was key to their first league goal of the season as he showed some neat footwork to get the better of Kodisang before going on a marauding run towards the Students back-four. A quick one-two followed with Allen Nono before squaring the ball to Makhouane on the penalty spot to smash a first-time shot into the top corner beyond Moeneeb Josephs' grasp.
The second half proved to be a more tactical encounter with both teams tightening up in midfield and defence - leaving little space for attackers to roam freely to express themselves.
However, that changed in the 68th minute when Ea Lla Koto defender Tamsanqa Teyise received his marching orders for his second bookable offence.
Another teenager put the Students ahead for the second time as Frosler showed real composure to beat Sangare.
However, five minutes later the South Africa youth international conceded a penalty for new signing Siphelele Mthembu to find an 88th-minute equaliser.
