Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - A goal from either side in the second half saw Moroka Swallows and Wits draw 1-1 in their Absa Premiership match at Dobsonville Stadium on Friday.
VIDEO: Moroka Swallows v Wits highlights
A 64th minute Bennett Chenene goal for the Soweto side looked to be enough to separate the sides.
The Clever Boys, however, replied through captain Sibusiso Vilakazi with nine minutes remaining of regular time to salvage a draw.
With just two points separating Wits (fourth) and Swallows (eighth) on the log coming into the clash, consolidating a top eight position would have been the aim for both sides.
With the draw, The Birds move to 32 points after 24 games. Wits edge up to 34 points and extend their unbeaten run to six league matches.
In the 11th minute, Bryce Moon dribbled his way into the Swallows box from the right-hand side, but Lefa Tsutsulupa was able to put in a challenge just in time, and the Wits player lost the ball before he could reel off a shot.
It took Swallows nine minutes to reply, as they went close for the first time. From well out at 30 metres, Tsutsulupa went for goal instead of crossing. His long, dipping, effort required a sharp tip-over from Thapelo Mabokgwane in the Wits goal to send the ball out for a corner.
In the 34th minute, Wits wasted an easy chance to score the opener. After a goalmouth scuffle in the Swallows area, the ball fell to Vilakazi. His shot was blocked.
Five minutes after the break the home side came close to taking the lead. A strong run on the left flank from Siyabonga Nomvethe exposed the Wits defence. Nomvethe crossed into the middle of the area, Dikgang Mabalane met the ball, but his header was wide of the mark.
The goal came four minutes after the hour mark, against the run of play. Swallows put together a flowing move where Joseph Makhanya made his way into the box. Instead of going for goal Makhanya then ran deep into the area and crossed for Bennett Chenene and, unmarked, had no problem slotting the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Swallows.
After the goal, Swallows gained control of the game and looked to build on their lead, while the visitors seemingly ran out of ideas.
The Clever Boys, however, put together a good passage of play to grab a crucial equalising goal in the 81st minute.
A Cavin Kadi pass from midfield released Vilakazi on the edge of the area. Vilakazi avoided three defenders and, with a superb strike from close range, levelled the scores at 1-1 heading into to the last few minutes of the game.
