Bethlehem - The Absa Premiership match between Free State Stars and Bidvest Wits could not produce a winner as they played to a goalless draw on Saturday afternoon at Goble Park Stadium.
Both sides went to the encounter having won their previous matches, and it was the visitors who first made strides to get an early goal when Thulani Ngcepe saw his header going wide over the bar as early as the third minute.
However, the hosts had to come to the party with Danny Venter making an effort to find an opener but his long range attempt went wide off Moeneeb Josephs' goals in the 14th minute.
With the match played on a sunny warm day, the conditions did not allow for high intensity and the first stanza failed to produce many clear-cut scoring opportunities.
The hosts began the second period with midfielder Mrisho Ngasa taking a shot but he missed to the right of Josephs' goal.
Coach Ernst Middendorp's men came back strongly and displayed a great deal of hunger with Robert Sankara showing a great initiative in the 62nd minute only to see his header off the mark.
In the 70th minute, Sankara made another attempt to trouble the Clever Boys' defence but the man of the match, Josephs was alert to parry the ball away from goal.
Subsitute Moeketsi Sekola was desperately looking for his maiden goal in the 2015/16 Premier Soccer League season and he tried a shot at goal, but the experienced Josephs was equal to the task to deny him in the 76th minute.
Although one would say the second half was a one-sided contest, Wits coach Gavin Hunt had to replace Jabulani Shongwe for Wangu Gome, however, his attempt to break the deadlock lacked venom as Daouda Diakite made an easy save with 13 minutes to go.
Following the stalemate, the Students move from the top of the Absa Premiership log position to the second spot behind Platinum Stars who beat SuperSport United 3-1 with 13 points from six matches while the hosts remain in 10th spot with seven points. - ANA