Sekhukhune United were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their away match against TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership on Sunday afternoon at Dobsonville Stadium.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, courtesy of a clinical finish from Chibuike Ohizu.
However, their lead was short-lived, as TS Galaxy responded swiftly just five minutes later. Kamogelo Sebelebele leveled the score with a quick-fire equalizer, ensuring both teams shared the spoils at the final whistle.
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As a result of the draw, Sekhukhune United remain in third place on the league standings with 41 points from 24 matches, holding a three-point advantage over fourth-placed Stellenbosch, although Sekhukhune have played one more game than their rivals.
TS Galaxy, on the other hand, occupy the fifth spot with 34 points, having played one additional match (25 league games in total).
Babina Noko were the first to foray forward with Siphesihle Mkkhize testing Rockets goalkeeper Ira Tape with a strong early shot from range.
Sipho Mbule then did well to create space down the left hand side but wasn’t able to get a clean connection to his effort.
Nhlanhla Mgaga looked make an impact at the other end for the Rockets but was crowded out,as Victor Letsoalo saw his effort blocked en route to goal.
There was little to shout about as the half drew to a close, although Sekhukhune looked the more likely scorers with Mbule the main threat with his passes into good attacking areas.
With Galaxy looking to effect the scoreline, Khulumani Ndamane powered a 58th minutes header just over the Sekhukhune goal with Renaldo Leaner stranded.
Babina Noko may well have taken the lead moments later though when Ellis Rammala’s speculative shot from outside skimmed the top of the net.
Tape, meanwhile, was called on again when he stopped Kamogelo Sebelebele from firing home after some good interplay from the visitors.
But the goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Ohizu from tapping in from close-range from a Keletso Makgalwa delivery with 65 minutes of the match played.
Galaxy responded in the only way they could and were soon level pegging as Marks Munyai set up Sebelebele to finish from the middle of the box.
The goal seemingly deflated the travelling team, who had to settle for a point as the race for a CAF place comes down to the wire.