Arrows deny Stars victory in KwaMashu

The Free State side, who came into the game fifth on the standings after losing at home to Kaizer Chiefs earlier this week, scored 10 minutes after the halftime break in Durban through Patrick Phungwayo.

But they could not hold onto their lead as Arrows fought back to share the spoils thanks to a 71st-minute equaliser from Siphelele Magubane.

Although early play was confined mainly to a midfield battle, Stars were more of a threat due to a succession of free kicks and corners in the opening 15 minutes.

Arrows meanwhile had to wait until the 18th minute before they threatened the opposition goal, following an effort from Lerato Lamola from the edge of the box which curled just wide.

The remainder of the half saw both sides having their moments in attack in what was a hard-fought encounter, but there were no real clear-cut chances at either end of the park.

The home club came out playing with intent after the restart and were nearly on the score-sheet in the 47th minute when Velemseni Ndwandwe and Zolani Nkombelo both had their shots blocked before Jabulani Shongwe fired the rebound into the crossbar.

Having survived that scare, Ea Lla Koto began to find their rhythm and after a 55th-minute counter-attack, Phungwayo slotted in a shot from inside the box to put the visitors in front.

Arrows came storming back and after Shongwe had another effort blocked and Ndwandwe had gone close, Lamola he blasted a shot over the crossbar.

But just when Stars seemed to have dealt with the onslaught, Arrows found the equaliser when Magubane put goalkeeper Badra Sangare under pressure before bundling the ball into the net.

Confidence boosted by the goal, Clinton Larsen’s men piled the pressure onto the Free State team in the closing stages of the match in KwaMashu.

But with Lamola, Wayde Jooste and Lionel Mutizwa failing to capitalise on some openings in the final seven minutes of the game, Arrows, who beat Cape Town City on Wednesday, had to settle for the point which inches them seven clear of the relegation zone.