Orlando Pirates missed a chance to reclaim first place in the South African Premiership on Friday but salvaged a late 2-2 draw at mid-table Richards Bay.
Thulani Gumede and Lindokuhle Zikhali gave Bay leads that Oswin Appollis and Lebone Seema cancelled, with Pirates’ second equaliser coming in the 92nd minute.
The first and last goals, by Gumede after 10 minutes and Seema, were outstanding in a match watched by a capacity 10,000 crowd in the eastern port city.
When Pirates failed to clear the ball from the area, it was nodded back to Gumede, whose half volley flew into the net past goalkeeper Sipho Chaine for his second league goal this season.
With Pirates staring at defeat, Seema controlled the ball outside the box and slammed a shot past Kenya goalkeeper Ian Otieno to salvage a point.
The draw left Mamelodi Sundowns top of the table with 56 points from 23 matches. Pirates have 55 having played one game more in the 30-match season.
Sundowns will not be in domestic action this weekend as they are away to Esperance of Tunisia on Sunday in a CAF Champions League semi-final first leg.
The leaders will have a chance to go four points clear of Pirates when they visit seventh-placed Polokwane City on Wednesday.
“We lost two points tonight. It is a blow to our league challenge, but my boys will fight until the end,” said Morocco-born Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
“Bay were difficult opponents and we showed character to twice come from behind and avoid losing. There was some fatigue in the closing stages given it was our second match in four days.”
Sundowns are chasing a record-extending ninth straight Premiership title. Pirates won the last of four league titles in 2012.
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