Maritzburg United dropped into the relegation zone of the Absa Premiership after playing to a 1-1 draw in a league match against Black Leopards at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday night.

The result combined with AmaZulu’s 3-0 thrashing of Bloemfontein Celtic sees Maritzburg drop into 15th place on the table with 11 points.

It was a slow start to the match with both sides squandering possession in the final third with poor passing and bad decision making.

The first real opportunity in front of goal fell to Maritzburg in the 20th minute when Krahire Zakri broke through on goal, but he was clattered into by goalkeeper Rotshidzwa Muleka just outside the box. The Leopards shot-stopper was lucky to only receive a yellow card for the incident.

Zakri turned provider five minutes later for the home side when he drove down the flank, but his square-ball was just beyond the reach of Andrea Fileccia who had an empty net at his mercy.

Leopards created their first chance on goal just after the hour mark when Karabo Tshepe tried his luck from the edge of the box, but he saw his superb volley tipped over the crossbar by the Maritzburg keeper.

The home side took the lead in the 38th minute when Brian Onyango headed home a Deolin Mekoa corner-kick, 1-0.

Leopards did not let that deter them as they pushed forward and managed to equalise a minute before the break courtesy of a penalty-kick goal from Mwape Musonda, 1-1.

Mekoa came close to restoring Maritzburg’s lead ten minutes into the second half, but he saw his 20-yard free-kick acrobatically saved by the fingertips of Muleka.

The game fell into a bit of a lull thereafter with neither team offering much in attack.

The home side were the better of the two sides, but not by much and created the final chance of the game in the 85th minute when Mohau Mokate found space inside the box and skied his 16-yard shot inches over the crossbar.

The match ended 1-1 which leaves Leopards stranded at the bottom of the league table with ten points.

Maritzburg (1) 1 (Onyango 38’)

Maritzburg: Ofori, Kunene (Figueredo 82’), Xulu, Onyango, De Reuck, Mekoa, Makaringe, Zakri (Makgalwa 46’), Shandu (Mokate 46’), Ndlovu, Fileccia.

Leopards: Muleka, Munyai, Masia, Munganga, Zulu, Tshepe (Kapinga 84’), Mudau (Nange 86’), Masalesa, Hlongwane (Mokoena 90’), Bereng, Musonda.