Highlands Parks held Lamontville Golden Arrows to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership match at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont on Saturday afternoon.
As a result, Abafana Bes’thende and the Lions of the North remain eighth and seventh respectively on the league standings.
Abafana Bes’thende got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock through Lerato Lamola just six minutes into the encounter.
Divine Lunga’s cross was headed home by the former Bloemfontein Celtic striker to make it 1-0 to the hosts after just six minutes.
Danny Phiri, who was working hard in midfield, had a chance to double the hosts’ lead just before the half-hour mark. However, the Zimbabwean central midfielder placed his effort wide of the target without troubling Highlands goalkeeper Marlon Heugh.
The visitors pushed forward in numbers after the restart, but they could only try their luck from range as the Arrows defence held firm.
Sello Motsepe saw his effort blocked by Arrows defender Siyabonga Dube, before Lindokuhle Mbatha placed his shot wide.
Lions of the North coach Owen Da Gama decided to replace defender Ali Banda with the experienced Rodney Ramagalela and the change worked almost immediately.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns striker proved to be an inspired substitute as he hit the back of the net to make it 1-1 four minutes after the hour mark.
Arrows coach Steve Komphela reacted by introducing promising attacker Seth Parusnath as the home side looked to snatch a late winning goal.
The two teams launched several attacks in the closing stages, but neither could find the back of the net as the game ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw.
Arrows (1) 1 (Lamola 6′)
Highlands (0) 1 (Ramagalela 64′)
Golden Arrows: Mlungwana, Lunga, Mathiane, Sibisi, Dube, Shitolo, Phiri, Makhubela (Parusnath 79′), Mtshali (Sibiya 70′), Mutizwa, Lamola (M.Gumede 73′).
Highlands Park: Heugh, Mokoena, Rae, Fransman, Banda (Ramagalela 59′), Mzava, Motsepe, Mbhele, Shalulile, Mbatha (Mvala 78′), Mogaila (Munyai 83′).©
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
