The Betway Premiership KwaZulu-Natal derby between Milford FC and Durban City ended in a 1-1 draw at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Stallions looked on course for victory after Mvelo Zikakayo put them ahead late in the first half, but the Citizens struck back five minutes into the second stanza to earn a share of the spoils.

The result left Milford in fifth place (12 points from eight matches), while Durban were ninth (seven points from as many matches).

The first clear chance arrived on the quarter-hour mark when Milford’s Siphosethu Ndlabi beat Fredrick Asare to a long ball and rounded the goalkeeper, but City defender Siphamandla Ncanana was well positioned to thwart the danger.

Seven minutes later, the visitors’ Letsie Koapeng tried his luck from long range, but his effort flashed high and wide of the target.

The Stallions earned a penalty in the 28th minute when wingback Jabulile Gxakoshe powered into the 18-yard area and was tripped by John Mokone. Ndlabi took the spot kick, but his shot was well saved by Asare, diving to his left.

Milford finally broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, with Mvelo Zikakayo showing swift feet and impressive spatial awareness in a crowded penalty area, before firing a left-footed drive beyond the reach of Asare for 1-0.

And the home side should have doubled their advantage just before the break when Ndlabi played in a fine cross from the left to pick out Menzi Chili, but the latter headed over the target from close range.

The Citizens opted for a double substitution at the start of the second half, swapping out Samkelo Maseko and Junior Papier for Luphumlo Sifumba and Jean Lwamba. Their changes paid quick dividends, with Sifumba scoring a superb goal to level the game at 1-1 in the 50th minute, as he whipped a curling shot into the back of the net from a free kick just outside the box.

Milford almost reclaimed the lead in the 77th minute, with Gxakoshe driving an effort on target, but Asare was well placed to make a stinging block with his body and keep the scores level.

That was the last clear chance, with the sides settling for a share of the spoils. The teams will return to Premiership action in October, with Milford away to Golden Arrows, and Durban hosting derby rivals AmaZulu FC.

Milford FC (1) 1 (Zikakayo 38’)

Durban City (0) 1 (Sifumba 50’)

Milford: Hleza, Gxakoshe (Chabangu 88’), Mthabela, Cele, Mdluli, Mthethwa, Nomandela (Joyi 79’), Chili, Mbunga (Khwanya 79’), Zikakayo (Jwara 88’), Ndlabi (Masilela 79’)

Durban: Asare, Shandu (Gcaba 66’), Ncanana, Msomi, Mokone, Jurgens, Sanger, Sirino (Nodada 74’), Maseko (Sifumba 46’), Papier (Lwamba 46’), Koapeng (Morris 66’)