Orlando Pirates were kept to a solitary point on the road when they drew 1-1 in their DStv Premiership clash against Soweto rivals Moroka Swallows.
In their second consecutive away fixture, the Buccaneers were determined to return to winning ways having suffered their first defeat of the year on their recent trip to Polokwane, where they lost 2-1 to Sekhukhune United over the weekend.
An erratic start almost saw them concede just seconds after the first whistle as a misdirected pass from Sipho Chaine led to a turnover of possession, resulting in a shot for Letsie Koapeng, who was denied by a crossbar.
This seemed to spring the visitors into life as they spent considerable time inside the Swallows half, conjuring a few goal attempts. The best of these came in the 21st minute via an inviting ball from the left flank delivered by Kabelo Dlamini into the direction of Tshegofatso Mabasa, who did all but connect well enough with the cross as his header went off-target.
They were made to rue the missed opportunities just five minutes after when another error at the back gifted the hosts an opportunity to take the lead, with Lindokuhle Mtshali duly slotting home past the outstretched Chaine.
The tricky conditions continued to play a part in the contest as Swallows nearly benefitted from one more defensive slip-up in the 31st minute, but the Bucs shot-stopper was perfectly positioned to make a relatively easy grab from a Koapeng shot.
Pirates had a couple of chances late in the first half when Mabasa headed into the side netting from close range before Deon Hotto fired narrowly off target from a fair distance out.
