Absa Premiership leaders Orlando Pirates were held to a 0-0 draw by Free State Stars in their match at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

As a result of this goalless draw, Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has kept another clean sheet and Pirates retain their position on top of the log with 19 points after nine matches while Stars remain at the bottom half of the table with nine points from as many games.

Though they remain unbeaten so far in the league, Pirates coach Ruud Krol will to ask for a much improved performance from his troops in their next game against Santos at home on October 17 as they failed to move into top gear against this determined and disciplined Stars side.

Stars were by far the better side on the day despite the fact that they went into this match without their recently appointed Brazilian coach.

Jose Valinhos, who resigned after only two outings, allowing Themba Sithole to take charge and instilling a new sense of believe in the players.

Early on in the game, proceedings were halted for about four minutes as the Stars medical team worked on the knee of Zambian international goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, who collided with Pirates striker Siphelele Mthembu as he moved out of his line to clear Teko Modise's dangerous cross.

Stars could have taken the lead in the 37th minute but attacker Mpho Makola, who was released by a clever short header from his teammate just outside the penalty box, lacked the composure to beat Moeneeb Josephs who moved out of his line in an attempt to clear the danger.

Moments later, Makola turned provider to Paulus Masehe and the former Pirates striker unleashed a powerful 30-metre drive that flew over the cross-bar and saw Krol furiously rising from his chair on the bench as Stars exposed dome of their defensive frailties.

Looking at how the first half went, it clearly belonged to the industrious Stars as they showed commitment and created more attacking chances and denied Pirates and their talisman Modise the room to do as they wished.

Just after the hour mark, Makola, who was lively throughout the game for the hosts, forced a good save out of Josephs with a thunderous shot despite attention from two Pirates defenders.

Stars were nearly punished a few minutes later when Dikgang Mabalane was allowed acres of space to unleash a powerful shot that went over the crossbar and a few moments later Pirates launched attack of their own that resulted in Mweene producing an excellent diving save to deny Gert Schalkwyk.

As the clocked ticked away to the end, there was drama from both ends of the field as Mweene produced another stunning save to deny Benson Mhlongo and Stars recovered immediately to launch a counter that resulted in Josephs showing his goalkeeping prowess to deny Thamane Motaung.

As this was enough, Stars captain Duncan Lechesa watched in disbelief as his close range header ricocheted from the crossbar as Pirates held on to their place on the summit and unbeaten record.