Bidvest Wits huffed and puffed but were unable to break down a resilient University of Pretoria outfit in an Absa Premiership encounter at Tuks Stadium in Tshwane on Wednesday evening.

The Clever Boys dominated proceedings but could only manage a goalless draw against their University rivals.

The loss leaves Bidvest Wits 11 points off runaway leaders Kaizer Chiefs

Steve Barker made a solitary change to the side that played Ajax Cape Town last time out. Siyabonga Ngubane replaced Raymond Monama in the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Gavin Hunt made three changes to the side that slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to Free State Stars.

Matthew Booth, Onismor Bhasera and Sthembiso Ngcobo started from the onset.

The first half-an-hour was dominated by the visitors who played the more enterprising football while Tuks strangely enough were opting to pump the ball up field, something that defied logic as in Matthew Booth the Clever Boys have one of the tallest players in the league.

Jabulani Shongwe’s deflected effort went inches wide of Washington Arubi’s goal in the 12th minute before Sibusiso Vilakazi missed a guilt-edged chance 13 minutes later.

The Clever Boys captain broke through on goal, but he was brilliantly denied by Arubi who was quick off his line, Calvin Kadi then hit the rebound straight at the Zimbabwe shot stopper.

Vilakazi then set up Kadi with a cheeky back heel in the 37th minute, but the Bidvest Wits striker could only manage to direct his shot wide of goal.

The visitors dominated most of the first half, but had nothing to show for their efforts at the break.

Barker made a defensive move at the start of the second half, replacing midfielder Siyabonga Ngubane with centre back Tebogo Monyai.

It seemed as if Buhle Mkhwanazi would drop into the midfield, but instead Monyai moved in-between the Bafana Bafana defender and Siyabonga Shoyisa to form part of a back five.

Bidvest Wits dominated possession stats in the second half, with Tuks sitting deep in their own half, opting to try and catch their Varsity rivals on the counter.

Josephs was a mere spectator in the second-half as the Clever Boys continued to push forward.

Siyabonga Nhlapo sent a shot over the crossbar late on to conclude what was a frustrating game for both the teams and supporters.

The draw leaves Wits in third spot on the log, 11 points off runaway leaders Kaizer Chiefs while AmaTuks move up one place to 10th.

Tuks: Arubi; Kekana, Mkhwanazi, Shoyisa, Sibande, Mosadi (Maruping 88’), Ketjijere, Matsi, Ngubane (Monyai 46’), Nyondo, Mnyamane (Massa 68’)

Wits: Josephs; Nhlapo, Mngonyama, Booth, Gumede, Vilakazi (Faty 77’), Ntshangase, Shongwe, Bhasera, Ngcobo (Kebede 90’), Kadi (Mwaruwari 65’)