Maritzburg United break their goal duck at home, but held by Highlands Park

Maritzburg United were denied their maiden maximum points at Harry Gwala Stadium in a 2-2 thriller against Highlands Park on Friday night.

United are still winless at home this season in league matches, and the only positive was that they broke their duck in front of goal this season at home.

The Lions of the North started on the front foot as they stamped their authority from the word go.

Tendai Ndoro came close to opening his account for Highlands Park twice on his debut.

He shot wide on his first attempt after a pinpoint cross by Peter Shalulile from the right-hand side, but fluffed his lines.

United goal-minder Richard Ofori did well to read the danger when Luckboy Mokoena play a through ball to Ndoro, but the Ghanaian came out and cleared the ball before it got in to the path of the Zimbabwean.

Ndoro was causing all sorts of problems for United, but Ofori denied him with a fantastic diving save on his third attempt.

It was the Team of Choice, though, who broke the deadlock.

Yannick Zakri out-jumped Junior Sibande as he fired his side into the lead with a brilliant header, profiting from a well-timed cross by Fortune Makaringe.

It was a well constructed move orchestrated by Siphelele Ndlovu, polished by Makaringe and finished by Zakri.

From that goal onwards, United dominated the proceedings, but poor decision-making let them down in the final third.

Lindokuhle Mbatha restored parity immediately after the interval for Highlands Park. Eight minutes later, Mohau Mokate put United in the lead again.

It was a night of headers at Harry Gwala. Mothibi Mvala netted an equaliser on 74 minutes with a well-taken header after Luckyboy Mokoena floated a decent cross in the box.

Ndoro was replaced by Moeketsi Sekola after 76 minutes.