Phuthaditjhaba - Free Stars were held to a goalless draw by Premiership strugglers AmaZulu in their league clash in Phuthaditjhaba on Wednesday evening.
The visitors took control in the first half, getting the better of their hosts in the early exchanges.
John Arwuah fired wide to the left, after connecting with a corner from Nkosinathi Mthiyane, and then Mthiyane blasted a strike over the crossbar, within the first 15 minutes of the match.
Stars made their presence felt, however, with Moeketsi Sekola consistently putting pressure on the AmaZulu defence.
Sekola had two attempts denied by keeper Aubrey Mathibe, and another effort was blocked by defender S'fiso Hlanti.
The visitors surged forward again after the half-hour mark and Bongani Ndulula's shot was parried away by Stars shot stopper Glenn Verbauwhede, before Goodman Dlamini's shot sailed wide following a set piece.
The second half was dampened by wayward and tame attempts from both sides, and though both keepers were kept on their toes throughout, both were able to retain clean sheets.
Free State Stars, who were lying 10th ahead of a host of midweek fixtures, remained locked in a tight mid-table battle, while AmaZulu were rooted to the bottom of the log, as the only team without a win after nine rounds of matches in the league campaign.
Sapa