SuperSport United fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Absa Premiership at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The draw sees Phunya Sele Sele move up to sixth place in the PSL standings, while Matsatsantsa stalled at 11th position on the table.

The encounter got off to a lively start with both sides looking to find their rhythm in the early exchanges of the match.

SuperSport goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse was called into action in the ninth minute when he made a great diving save to deny Ndumiso Mabena strike from inside the area.

Phunya Sele Sele managed to take the lead after 15 minutes after Mabena played a brilliant through ball into the path of Victor Letsoalo, who rounded Pieterse to find the net.

Matsatsantsa thought they had equalised a minute later when Jeremy Brockie found the back of the net, but the striker was flagged offside by the linesman.

Thuso Phala should’ve levelled matter in the 24th minute, but Celtic shot-stopper Patrick Tignyemb came to his sides rescue to deny the striker from close range.

However, Celtic took a one-goal advantage over SuperSport as the match went into the half time interval.

Celtic nearly doubled their lead when Mahlasela combined with Mabena before forcing Pieterse into making a fine save to keep the scoreline at 1-0 in favour of Phunya Sele Sele.

Brockie should’ve restored parity in the 72nd minute after latching onto a cross from Aubrey Modiba, but the New Zealand international directed his header wide of the target.

SuperSport eventually levelled matters two minutes later when debutant Darren Smith managed to head home from close range to make it 1-1.

Both sides pushed forward in search of the winning goal in the closing stages, but neither side we able to secure the win as they shared the spoils at the Dr Molemela Stadium.

Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix