Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates played out to a goalless draw in an Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night.

The Buccaneers found it difficult to break down Rise and Shine's solid defence most of the time, and they resorted to long range efforts from which were easily dealt with by the goalkeeper.

Rise and Shine attacked Buccaneers from the start, and just five minutes into the game their captain Jabulani Maluleke forced goalkeeper Felipe Ovono into a decent save.

In the 14th minute, Pirates nearly broke the deadlock after Kermit Erasmus burst into the Polokwane box from the left, and dribbled past keeper George Chigova.

However, former SuperSport United forward's low cut-back cross went across the Polokwane goal mouth with no Pirates player in the box ready to pounce on the ball.

City midfielder Maluleke unleashed a good shot from the edge of the Pirates box in the 25th minute, but Equatorial Guinea keeper Ovono was well positioned to make a decent save.

At the other end, Eric Tinkler's side were struggling to maintain possession in the final third, and they could not create goal scoring opportunities.

It was 0-0 during the halftime break, with Pirates having failed make a single shot on target.

The Buccaneers were dealt a major blow 15 minutes into the second-half when their captain Oupa Manyisa was substituted after twisting his ankle, and he was replaced by Menzi Masuku.

Nevertheless, Bucs upped their tempo, and in the 69th minute Sifiso Myeni combined brilliantly with Erasmus outside the box, and the latter forced Polokwane keeper George Chigova into a fine low save.

In the 74th minute, Pirates' long range specialist Mpho Makola cut inside from the left and forced Chigova into a great save after receiving a good pass from Thabo Matlaba.

Polokwane substitute Puleng Tlolane nearly grabbed a late goal in the 85th minute, but his shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by Ovono.

Both teams launched late attacks in search of the winning goal. However, it never came, and the league encounter ended goalless on the night.

The draw extended Pirates' winless run to three league matches.

Polokwane City 0

Polokwane: Chigova, Barrends, Masenamela, Mbonani, Nyadombo, Nene, Jacobs, Maluleke, Ngidi (Tlolane 54’), Alexander, Faye (Mncwango 73’)

Pirates: Ovono, Mahamutsa, Gyimah, Jele, Matlaba, Maselesa, Manyisa (Masuku 61’), Majafa, Myeni (Rakhale 69’), Makola, Erasmus (Majoro 84’)