A penalty each in the second half earned SuperSport United andMamelodi Sundowns one point apiece in an Absa Premiership encounter at Super Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday night.

Daine Klate came close to giving United the early lead when his header off a Siyabonga Nkosi cross eight minutes after the start was saved by Downs goalkeeper Calvin Marlin.

And three minutes later Papi Zothwane got the first opportunity to put Sundowns ahead but his shot missed right.

Both sides had numerous chances throughout the match and their keepers were kept busy, with Marlin and Emille Baron doing well to keep the ball out for much of the game.

In the 24th minute the hosts thought they had taken a 1-0 lead when Klate got hold of a free kick to put the ball in the back of the net. But his team-mate in the box, Bongani Khumalo, was called for a foul on Sundowns defender Derrick Spencer and the goal was controversially disallowed.

Both sides continued to struggle with their finishing and they went into the break with scores level.

Sundowns came out firing in the second half, however, with a Klate free kick saved by Marlin followed by Zothwane's long-range shot again missing right.

In the 55th minute SuperSport defender Phelani Mpangase was booked for a foul on Pattison and Downs were awarded a penalty, with Katlego Mphela calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net to give his side the lead.

United never gave up the fight, however, in a match that saw seven players shown yellow cards as the tensions rose, particularly in the second half.

Midway through the second stanza, Mphela almost secured a brace with a header off a Siboniso Gaxa cross that was superbly saved by United keeper Baron.

With SuperSport clearly becoming more frustrated by the minute, Derrick Spencer offered them some respite when he got a hand to a Klate shot in the box.

United striker Anthony Laffor made sure of the penalty and equalised with a magnificent shot that gave Marlin no chance. With seven minutes left on the clock, Laffor had an opportunity to give the hosts the lead but his cross was tipped over the top by Marlin.

And a minute later Mphela almost regained the lead for the visitors but his shot from 12 yards out was held by Baron. With three minutes remaining before extra time Baron again held off a close-range effort from Zothwane.

And in the final minute the SuperSport keeper did well to keep out another two shots ? including a magnificent save with his feet after Matthew Pattison fired one in from close range ? as Sundowns continued the onslaught.

But the hosts, and Baron in particular, managed to hold off the Downs attack and settle for the draw.

Both sides will be satisfied with a point, but will be eager to get back to winning ways as they continue to float around mid-table.