Black Aces and Bidvest Wits settled for a point each after a lively Absa Premiership encounter at the Puma Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Rene Richards scored a sublime free kick in the 8th minute and the never-say-die Aces equalised through Mpho Maleka in the 57th. Both teams had a player sent off.

The match started at a frenetic pace and Aces, backed by their boisterous fans, did not hesitate to take the visitors on. However, it was the Clever Boys that struck first after Aces skipper Felix Musasa chased down Sifiso Myeni and brought the winger down just outside the 18-area.

To the dismay of the Aces bench and fans the captain was shown a red card by referee Daniel Volgraaf. Left-back Richards stepped up to the ball and sent it in to the back of the net, silencing the crowd.

Tovey made what must be a record three substitutions within 20 minutes as two players succumbed to injuries besides Musasa. Tipa Bienvenu replaced midfielder Bongane Twala as Tovey looked to steady the rearguard after the captain's dismissal.

To the dismay of the Aces coach, centre-back Sibusiso Dabi limped off after 15 minutes and Tovey replaced him with rookie defender Nicholas Killas, and five minutes later striker Walter Ramulondi left the field – after a rough challenge – with former Maritzburg hitman Brice Aka taking his place.

With all the Aces subs used, the players gave it their all to draw level but excellent goalkeeping by Darren Keet kept them out.

Vusiwe Masondo had the best chance when he connected with a Thom-rick October cross, but Keet got a foot to the ball. Maleka also threatened to score but his one effort shot inches past the upright, while Bafo Biyela failed to test Keet with a free kick.

Aces pushed on but their finishing was just not what the fans wanted and the players held their heads in despair as their chances were saved or just went wide.

On the other end Onyango’s backline was caught flat-footed when Asive Langwe sped through on goal only to be denied by the lightning-quick keeper.

A few more injury scares had the crowd worried but Maleka and Aka brushed themselves off to finish the first half.

Biyela ignited the cheers when his left-footed curler sailed inches past the far post. As the fans cheered louder, so Aces upped their tempo and the one-man deficit was subtle. Maleka and Aka kept the Wits defence on the back foot while Biyela orchestrated play from the middle.

Wits seemed happy to sit back and absorb the pressure, but the defenders were caught napping when an unmarked Maleka headed home a Biyela corner kick.

The Clever Boys went on the offensive but Aces were in no mood to sit back and the visitors hardly tested Onyango. Wits playmaker Sibusiso ‘General ‘ Vilakazi went down in the box after an innocuous challenge and the referee gave him a second yellow card.

With both teams reduced to ten men, and with less than five minutes to go, Maleka missed the easiest chance of the game when the Wits defence failed to clear Lindo Mbatha’s cross from the right and he shot over from six yards out.

Masondo then fired in from 20 yards out but Keet’s well-timed fist denied the hosts again. Aces fans demanded a winner but Wits held on nervously for a point.