Ten-man Maritzburg frustrate Wits

Cape Town - Mohau Mokate's goal earned Maritzburg United a 1-1 draw with Bidvest Wits in an Absa Premiership game at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday night.

The draw sees the Team of Choice remain on position eight, while the Clever Boys moved to the league summit on goal-difference.

The Team of Choice enjoyed more possession than the Clever Boys in the opening stages of the first-half, but they were struggling to beat goalkeeper Darren Keet.

The former Bafana Bafana international produced decent saves to deny Maritzburg duo Bevan Fransman and Lebohang Maboe, who had unleashed good shots.

But the Clever Boys should have taken the lead five minutes before the half-time break after Phakamani Mahlambi had set-up Frank Mhango, but the latter fired wide from close range.

Maritzburg captain Kurt Lentjies was then shown a red-card following a dangerous tackle on Wits midfielder Phumlani Ntshangase heading into the half-time break at 0-0.

Maboe, who recently walked away with the man of the match away against Orlando Pirates, forced Wits goal-minder Keet into a magnificent save nine minutes after the restart.

But it was the visitors, who opened the scoring when Mahlambi set-up Cuthbert Malajila and the latter fired past Bongani Mpandle to make it 1-0 to Wits in the 70th minute.

Just four minutes later parity was restored by Mohau Mokate, who beat Wits keeper Keet to make it 1-1.