Pretoria - Mamelodi Sudowns failed to restore their nine point gap atop the PSL standings as they were held to a goalless draw by Golden Arrows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Arrows are the last team to beat the Brazilians in the league and have now taken four points off the Pretoria side this season. The result ends 'Downs winning run in the league at six games.
It was a frustrating first-half for both sides who failed to get going in what was a physical encounter in Atteridgeville.
Keagan Dolly summed up 'Downs frustrations, the winger laid on the pitch having fired his attempt over the crossbar after he made a lung-busting run to the edge of the area in the 27th minute.
The Brazilians welcomed back Khama Billiat for the clash after he had missed their trip to Zimbabwe last weekend and the former Ajax Cape Town attacker was their biggest threat going forward.
A quick free-kick by Hlompho Kekana sent Billiat through on goal, but Maximilian Mbaeva stood tall on 41 minutes to keep the score goalless heading into the break.
Anthony Laffor missed a catalogue of chances for the hosts in the second stanza and Arrows could've stolen all three points in stoppage time, but Deon Hotto opted to shoot when passing to an unmarked Andile Fikizolo would have been the better option.