Cape Town - Lerato Manzini scored with 20 minutes remaining to rescue what could prove to be a vital point for Chippa United as they played to a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows in an Absa Premiership clash at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Friday evening.
There was a good tempo to the encounter as both sides looked to get an early goal, although the visitors went closest through a long-range effort from Danny Venter inside the opening 10 minutes.
It was Abafana Bes'thende who did eventually score first when Knox Mutizwa scored his sixth league goal of the season in the 23rd minute when he finished neatly after good work down the left by Divine Lunga.
However, despite Arrows enjoying the better of the first half they could not score a second goal and the hosts, who had largely been restricted to long-range efforts, would have been relieved to go into the half-time interval only one behind.
The Chilli Boys upped the ante after the break as they pushed for the equaliser as coach Clinton Larsen through on Ruzaigh Gamildien in a bid to draw level.
Larsen's tactics nearly paid off as Gamildien struck the post with Arrows keeper Nkosingiphile Gumede well beaten.
However, with 20 minutes of the game still to play, Manzini was teed up by Tercious Malepe and the striker made no mistake at the far post.
Mutizwa had a golden chance to put Arrows back into the lead but saw a header from point-blank range sail over the bar after Lunga again did good work down the left hand side.
Both teams searched for a winner but neither created any clear-cut opportunities towards the end as they had to settle for a share of the spoils.
The point moves the Chilli Boys four clear of the relegation zone in 12th place on the table while Arrows remain 10th.