It was another tough night out at Dobsonville Stadium as Mamelodi Sundowns played to a one-all draw with Highlands Park.

The game presented an opportunity Pitso Mosimane’s charges to narrow the point difference with log leaders Kaizer Chiefs to one point, but a draw away from home is still important.

Mosimane made a couple of changes to the team that played against Orlando Pirates two days ago. Mosa Lebusa, Keletso Makgalwa and Lyle Lakay made way for Tebogo Langerman, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Gaston Sirino, who was back on the team for the first time after serving a two-match ban.

The home side was the first one to hit the ground running as they took the lead as early as the fifth minute.

Peter Shalulile controlled the ball and unleashed a shot that passed Denis Onyango. Not to be outdone, the Brazilians kept on knocking but the Lions of the North’s defence kept proving hard to beat.

Eventually, they were broken as Sphelele Mkhulise pounced onto an inch-perfect cross from Sirino to level the matter. At the break, the score was one all.

Coach Pitso Mosimane threw in Keletso Makgalwa and Promise Mkhuma to add pace and force Highlands onto the back foot and try and get a goal that would deliver maximum points.

Both sides were pushing each other and looking for that elusive goal and Mkhuma, who was making his debut, could have sealed the three points as he found himself in the box but his shot sailed over Tapuwa Kapini’s goals.

No goal was scored in the second half and the game ended in a stalemate and a second draw in a row for Masandawana.

Next on the calendar for the defending champions is a trip to familiar territory at Loftus Versfeld as Mamelodi Sundowns take on Cape Town City on Monday the 17th at 19:00 EAT.