Shabanie Mine failed to take advantage of a favourable sequence of results on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Maglas by Triangle on Sunday.

Bruno Mtigo scored after the breather for the Chinda Boys and they looked on course for victory but a Lameck Nhamo goal right at death deflated Shabanie as they remain trapped in the relegation zone.

Shabanie Mine came into the duel knowing that only a win will elevate them above the murky waters of relegation on goal difference.

Triangle United also came into the match five points above the relegation zone knowing that a defeat will leave them only two points above the drop with four games still to play.

Shabanie Mine coach Takesure Chiragwi, though frustrated by the draw, was content with the point his charges got.

“It is part of the game if you lose concentration you will be punished. But we are still in and still fighting, the guys did well and that point is okay, it adds to our points tally and will be valuable at the end,” he said.

Triangle United coach Taurai Mangwiro was a happy man.

“It was a very difficult game, we sucked in a lot of pressure. It took some fight for us to rescue a point. We have been missing this fighting spirit and I am happy we fought till the end and it paid off. In the end we maintained a five-point gap between us and them and we can maintain that until the end. We got a lifeline today and we cannot afford to lose it,” said Mangwiro.

Teams:

Shabanie Mine: P Moyo, L Manyande, B Mukundu, T Chigede, N Mpofu, W Mupasiri (R Kawondera, 54th min), F Mupasiri, A Dzumbunu, B Mtigo, T Chimoyo, T Mupumha (W Taderera, 68th min)

Triangle United: R Mudimu, D Dzinyai (E Phiri, 87th min), N Meson, K Chigwida, G Zhokinyi, R Kawondera, T Huwa (E Kamunda, 75th min), B Juwayeyi (T Rukanda, 57th min), C Denias, R Madamombe, L Nhamo