Cape Town - Maritzburg United's dreadful season went from bad to worse when they were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup on penalties by National First Division (NFD) outfit Witbank Spurs at the Puma Stadium in Mpumalanga on Sunday.

The game ended in 2-2 stalemate after extra-time but the lower-tier side held their nerve in the shootout to advance to the last 16 of Cup with a 5-4 victory.

Already sitting at the foot of the PSL table, Maritzburg got off to a poor start as they conceded in the 21st minute when Joshua Sauls put the Witbank side ahead.

The Team of Choice hit back as Yannick Zakri leveled the tie just six minutes later.

If Maritzburg thought they had weathered the storm from the hosts they were seriously mistaken as Khethukuthula Zwane put Witbank ahead just a minute after the equaliser.

The PSL side came out with more attacking intent in the second half and they were rewarded when Zakri netted his brace in the 67th minute to take the match into extra-time.

Both teams could not find the winner in the 30 added minutes as penalties loomed in Mbombela.

After both sides successfully converted their first three kicks from the spot, Sihle Gum and Rushine De Reuck missed the fourth penalties for either side.

When it went into sudden death and Bonga Nkosi slotted home his kick, all the pressure was on Miguel Timm to keep Maritzburg in the contest but he missed to send Witbank Spurs through to the last 16.