NMMU and UP-Tuks each scored in the last five minutes in their Varsity Football clash in Tshwane to end all square at 1-1.
The visitors thought they had stolen victory when a Lyndsay Stowman strike gave them a 1-0 lead in the final stages, but Tuks hit back with a penalty in injury time to salvage a draw.
The match got off to a tense start as the teams battled for the early ascendency. The visitors showed that they would be a threat going forward by creating a few opportunities as they made Tuks work hard on defence.
NMMU produced the first real opportunity when the ball was taken up to the goal-line by Leroy van Rensburg who pulled it back for striker Cloudius Sagandira, but his shot canonned back off the crossbar and Tuks escaped.
The home side started to string some passes together as they looked to gain some momentum, but the NMMU defence was very organised and shut them down quite quickly.
Tuks were working hard as they tried to put the visitors under pressure, but they could not find a way through and the match remained goalless at half-time.
Tuks had a great chance to open the scoring at the start of the second half when Lawrence Ntwane met a free kick, but his header went over the bar.
The home side enjoyed far more possession in the second half as they built their attacks from deep in their own half.
Tuks had a great opportunity when Nii-Ordartey Mills was brought down just outside the box by Niven Kopps, but Kabelo Ramongane’s free kick hit the wall.
The Tshwane side lifted the tempo in the final stages as they searched for the goal that would secure all three points, but they were denied by some desperate defending and a good save from NMMU goalkeeper Lyndsay Jennings.
Instead, it would be NMMU who found the back of the net as Stowman pounced after what seemed to be a handball at the top of the box.
The referee was not interested in the protests from Tuks and the goal stood, but that was not the end of the drama as Tuks levelled matters in injury time.
The referee awarded a penalty for a handball and Mbongeni Masilela stepped up to slot the kick and salvage a point for his side.
The scorers:
For NMMU: Lindsay Stowman
For UP-Tuks: Mbongeni Masilela
NMMU: 16 Lyndsay Jennings, 20 Lundi Balfour, 3 Andile Mtyingizane, 22 Niven Kops, 19 Lukhanyo Sompondo, 6 Kurt Duff, 2 Lindsay Stowman, 17 Onneetse Leboifo, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 7 Leroy van Rensburg, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni.
Reserves: 1 Mfundo Moyikwa, 21 Zukisani Mtendeni, 5 Cornelius Matuoane, 4 Peter Thekisho, 23 Chuma Fobo, 13 Vuoyolwethu Marele, 25 Bradley Peterson.
UP-Tuks: 26 Tristyn Coetsee, 6 Kabelo Ramongane, 12 Kenneth Matlala, 19 Charles Gulwako, 5 Lawrence Ntwane, 3 Claudio Barreiro, 13 Desmond Khuzwayo, 15 Jarryd van den Berg, 8 Nii-Ordartey Mills, 16 Sipho Masemola, 4 Mosa Sesele.
Reserves: 7 Keegan Boulle, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 11 Richard Moremi, 18 Nicholas Killas, 10 Modiba Moeketsi.
