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Cape Town - Free State Stars were held to a 0-0 draw with Polokwane City in their Absa Premiership clash at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was the second last game of the season for both sides with Rise and Shine fighting for their league survival as Stars look to secure a top eight place.
It was the away side who looked to get forward quickly in the opening exchanges with a couple of corners well defended by Stars.
The home side soon controlled the tempo of the tie and began to create chances.
First Rodney Ramagalela came close to an opener with an instinctive strike on 25 minutes from outside the box that flew just over the target, before Siphelele Mthembu fired inches wide in the 33rd minute.
Ea La Koto continued to press and Rooi Mahamutsa smashed a header into the side-netting with five first half minutes remaining.
A second yellow card on 49 minutes saw Tebogo Potsane dismissed, leaving Stars to play a man down for almost half the clash.
And while City were buoyed by the extra player, they were unable to make the advantage count with Stars defence holding firm.
Both sides were to mix it up in the second half with Thabo Maphakisa replacing a well-marshaled Goodman Dlamini on 62 minutes, ahead of the introduction of Maxim Cosse for Makhehlene Makhaula on 80 minutes and Thamsanqa Teyise for Harris Tchilimbou with two minutes to play.
City, meanwhile, saw Walter Musona come on for Sammy Seabi (56'), Wiseman Maluleke for Mondli Miya (67') and Salulani Phiri for Thabiso Semenya (74').
None of the changes effected the scoreline though as both sides ultimately settled for a draw; City the more frustrated of the two as they look to survive the drop
The result leaves Stars in sixth place on the standings with 40 points and City down in 13th with 33 points, with one game to play in the 2017/18 season.
SuperSport are in 14th with 33 points, with Ajax in 15th with 31 points. Already relegated Platinum Stars are bottom on 21 points.
