Although Free State Stars netted first, Polokwane City's Muzikayifani Ngidi scored an equaliser to deny Ea Lla Koto the full three points when they played to a 1-1 draw in their Absa Premiership tie at Goble Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

On the other hand, Lucky Mohomi scored for the hosts as Rise and Shine occupy the 13th spot with 23 points from as many matches.

Despite a cautious start by both sides, the visitors became the first side to try a shot at goal when Ngidi's header wide in the fifth minute after a great cross by skipper Jabu Maluleke.

Three minutes later, Nhlanhla Vilakazi attempted to beat George Chigova but failed to hit the target when he saw his well taken shot going wide to the left of Johnny Mathole's posts.

City nearly bagged a lead in the 15th minute when Maluleke delivered a great cross but it failed to find targetmen such as Ngidi and Thobani Mncwango in the box and stars cleared the danger.

Although Giovanni Solinas' men continued to play good football, they couldn't penetrate the Citizens' defence manned by the experienced Thapelo Tshilo.

With nine minutes to the interval, Ngidi beat Stars defender Makhehleni Makhaula in the box, however, he was let down by his attempt as he targeted the top corner with Mathole merely becoming a spectator.

In the 41st minute, a header by Justice Chabalala from Davis Nkausu's cross couldn't trouble Chigova as it went astray for a goal kick.

It was 0-0 at the interval, but the hosts showed their intentions a minute after their return by taking the game to Julio Leal's men, yet Katlego Mashego's shot went too high over the posts.

The hosts took 55 minutes to break the deadlock when Mohomi beat Chigova on his right corner from a well drilled set piece away from the box.

Nevertheless, City tried to respond in the 60th minute when Ngidi took a shot but missed and they also received a set piece but a header from Tshilo went over the woodwork.

After another 10 minutes, Ngidi received a wonderful pass from Maluleke in the box and the former finished from close range making it 1-1.

With the hosts chasing a lead, Justice Chabalala nearly beat the Zimbabwean keeper Chigova on his near post with a powerful header, but the net minder produced a great save with nine minutes remaining.

In the dying stages of the tie, Solinas introduced Moeketsi Sekola who was granted a chance to bag a winner but the striker failed to keep his shot low and missed the target and it ended at 1-1.

In the wake of the stalemate, the hosts remain placed in eighth position with 32 points from 23 matches.

Free State Stars (0) 1 (Mohomi 55')

Free State Stars: Mathole, Masehe, Vilakazi, Nkausu (Mbhele 89'), Makhaula, Chabalala, Jaftha (Sekola 80'), Nkosi, Mohomi, Mashego, Venter (Kerspuy 90')

Polokwane City: Chigova, Phungwayo, Hlongwane, Nyadombo, Tshilo, Motumi, Maluleke, Alexander, Ngidi (Ndou 77'), Matsemela (Matjila 58'), Mncwango