A FIFTH draw in a row for Orlando Pirates saw their championship hopes slip further away after they fought out a 2-all stalemate against Ajax Cape Town in a furious Absa Premiership game here last night.

This encounter is arguably one of the games of the season.

Four goals - two shoots against the crossbar - myriad missed chances, particularly from Khama Billiat, and play that swung from one end to the other throughout the 90 minutes, made for a pulsating contest.

Ironically, the result will not have helped either side's cause although the damage to Pirates' cause is arguably bigger than the blow suffered by Ajax, who remain in the relegation zone.

Bucs' coach Roger de Sa admitted they rode their luck a bit as Billiat was guilty of missing six clear-cut chances in an extraordinary performance marred by spectacularly poor finishing.

The game produced a 15-minute spell after half-time that had the fans on the edge of their seats as Pirates came from a goal down at half-time to take a 2-1 lead and then let the lead slip again. A mistake from birthday boy Andile Jali proved decisive in the opening goal after just seven minutes for Abia Nale.

Jali was caught in midfield and disposed by Tariq Losper, who played it to Billiat. The latter then played the ball quickly to Nale who could afford to knock it on a little ahead of himself as he stormed forward and still get to the ball before Senzo Meyiwa to give the hosts a dream start.

It was the second goal in as many matches for Nale, on loan from Kaizer Chiefs and just back from a knee injury.

But Pirates should have been on level terms just five minutes later when the marauding Thabo Matlaba made space for himself down the left, but Cecil Lolo disposed him in the nick of time with a decisive tackle.

Takesure Chinyama got the equaliser with a header from Khethowakhe Masuku's cross just after the break. Just minutes later Chinyama's thumping shot cannoned back off the upright with substitute Mpho Makola reacting quickest to put Pirates 2-1 ahead.

But the furious action continued as man-of-the-match Lebogang Manyama fed Losper to equalise on the hour mark.

lSuperSport United came from a goal down to grab a 2-1 victory over league strugglers Chippa United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in another PSL match last night.

Chippa's William Twala netted a first-half penalty, before Bevan Fransman equalised and Bradley Grobler added the second to secure the vital win for Matsatsantsa, who extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches. - Additional reporting by Sapa