An entertaining first half in which there were numerous chances and two goals gave way to a dull second half which saw little goal-mouth action.

A cagey start by Santos saw Cosmos dominating ball possession and it was Ezenkosi who had the first good chance of the game when Bongi Macala’s angled shot brought out a sharp save by Wayne Roberts at the near post.

Three minutes later Zvenyika Makonese came close for the Cape side when his header flew just over the bar, with keeper Avril Phali stranded in no man’s land after punching clear off the head of Erwin Isaacs.

Cosmos had a great chance to go in front in the 13 th minute, but having rounded Roberts, Siza Dlamini was unable to find the back of the net from a tight angle.

But the visitors were finding plenty of space down the right wing and in the 17 th minute they used this to their advantage as Macala latched onto a through ball by Bamuza Sono and beat Roberts with a blistering shot.

Two minutes later Santos spurned a golden chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty, which seemed somewhat harsh on defender Thapelo Tshilo.

Erwin Isaacs stepped up to take the kick, but his initial effort was blocked by Phali, while his subsequent attempt from the rebound flew just over the bar.

But in the 32 nd minute Isaacs made amends in fine style when he curled in a low free kick from 20 yards out for the equaliser.

It took a while for the second half to get going and it was Santos who had the first couple of chances when Makonese’s shot was blocked and then Thom-Rick October’s cracking 57 th minute strike, which was arrowing in on the top corner, was tipped over by Phali.

The game went then went into somewhat of a lull as clear-cut goal scoring opportunities were at a premium.

It was Santos however who enjoyed more of the possession, but their chances were confined to long range shots which didn’t trouble Phali.

In the end neither side had any good opportunities to win the game and a draw was probably a fair reflection of a hard-fought match.

TEAMS:

Santos: Roberts, Otieno, Makonese, Arendse, October, French, Gabonamong, Mngomeni (Chapman 58’), Scott ( Kanono 77’), Isaacs, Rodgers

Cosmos: Phali, Tshilo, Plaatjies, Mahlangu, Moloto ( Massa 90’), Letsholonyane, Sono, Ntsume ( Mtshali 78’), Macala, Mabalane, Dlamini ( Mwape 89’)