Johannesburg – SuperSport United missed on a chance to go fourth on the log table when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bloemfontein Celtic in their Premiership match at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors settled first and took the lead as early as the third minute.
Mame Niang gave Matsantsantsa the lead with with a header after some poor communication between goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb and his defenders who failed to read Sibusido Khumalo's long pass.
Celtic should have levelled matters in the 16th minute. Lerato Lamola turned a defender and let fly but his effort was blocked by the advancing SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Celtic had the ball into the back of the net but the goal was disallowed after referee Daniel Bennett adjudged that Mogogi Gabonamong had fouled keeper Williams in the 27th minute.
In the 32nd minute Enocent Mkhabela was unlucky not to double SuperSport's lead as he out-jumped everyone inside the box but his header bounced off the cross bar.
In the 42nd minute minute Celtic survived a scare when their defender miscued a clearance and the ball fell kindly for Sameegh Doutie but his low shot missed the upright.
Celtic were a rejuvenated side after the break and were unlucky not to score early.
Their best chance came in the 57th minute when they were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box but Keagan Buchaman rifled the ball over the SuperSport cross bar.
Celtic came close yet again in the 68th minute but Clayton Daniels' header was collected by goalkeeper Williams much to the the relief of coach Cavin Johnson on the SuperSport bench.
In the 74th minute SuperSport got a free kick but Doutie went for glory instead of playing a teammate through and goalkeeper Tignyem made a comfortable save.
Celtic's persistence eventually paid off in the 79th minute, Frank Mhango broke through the SuperSport defence and unleashed a scorcher that beat keeper Williams hands down.
Lamola should have given Celtic the lead in the 82nd minute as he turned his marker and tried to chip the ball over keeper Williams but he missed the target. Sapa