Lindokuhle Mbatha scored four minutes from time to deny the University of Pretoria all three points in their Absa Premiership clash with Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Sunday afternoon.

AmaTuks had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half through spectacular long range goals by Bongani Zungu and Thokani Sekotlong, but a Robert Ng’ambi header gave the home side the impetus to snatch the equaliser.

Mame Niang almost punished Stars in the ninth minute when he saw their keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane off the line and chipped a ball from about 40-yards from the left flank which went agonisingly over with the keeper stranded.

AmaTuks would, however, take the lead in the 14th minute through a well taken goal by Zungu.

Thokozani Sekotlong did well to hold off Stars centre-back Tshepo Gumede and lay off the ball to an on rushing Zungu who with a perfect technique placed the ball into the roof of the net beyond Mpontshane’s reach from 30-yards, 1-0.

Stars almost had an instant response a minute later when Robert Ng’ambi shot wide from six-yards out with a left footed low attempt.

Stars had another opportunity in the 19th minute after a nice passing movement. The ball was laid onto Mogakolodi Ngele and he wanted to kill the keeper with a thunderous left footed shot from the edge of the box, but the AmaTuks keeper, Washington Arubi, snuffed out the effort.

On the half hour mark Niang tried another audacious long range attempt but this time Mpontshane was on his line, but did well to save the ball which was dipping in on target.

Sekotlong who set up Zungu’s fantastic goal, scored a beauty himself.

AmaTuks right-back Siyabinga Ngubane’s long throw was flicked by Niang into the path of Sekotlong who spotted the keeper of his line and unleashed a left footed shot from 25-yards which sailed into the top part of the net, 2-0.

In the 68th minute Stars had their first meaningful chance of the second half when Benson Mhlongo’s shot from just inside the box missed the top right corner of goal when the AmaTuks defence were all at sea.

With 17 minutes left in the match, Dikewna burst into life and pulled a goal back.

AmaTuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi came out confidently to punch away the ball which landed on the feet of Thuso Phala who sent it back into the box for an unmarked Ng’ambi to head in beyond the keeper who was trotting back to his line, 2-1.

In the 86th minute Mbatha found the all-important equaliser when he cut inside from the left wing and turned his marker inside-out before fooling him and unleashed a cracker that curled into the back of the net to make the score 2-2 in the 86th minute.

Platinum Stars (0) 2 (Ng’ambi 73’, Mbatha 86’)
University of Pretoria (2) 2 (Zungu 14’, Sekotlong 43’)

Platinum Stars: Mpontshane, Mere, Gumede, Mhlongo, Ngwepe, Mathe (T Mthembu 70’), Tshabalala (Mbatha 60), Phala, Ng’ambi, Ngele (Msomi 57’), Botes

University of Pretoria: Arubi, Ngubane, Shoyisa, Bishop, Moussono-Moussono, Mkhwanazi, Ketjijere, Sekotlong (Lubelo 77’), Zungu, Ngoma (Mosadi 89’), Niang