SuperSport are back on top

SuperSport United inched back to the top of the Absa Premiership after holding Santos to a goalless draw at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.

With only three matches left United now lead Ajax Cape Town by a point with Santos four points off the championship pace, but only three adrift of Ajax, who they meet in two weeks' time.

United goalkeeper Andre Arendse, who a few seasons ago lifted the league trophy as a Santos player, was in sublime form last night.

Arendse, at 40 and in the twilight of a chequered career, saved his side on several occasions and the stops from efforts by Eleazar Rodgers, Tawonga Chimodze and Romano Scott ranked out of the top drawer.

Those were inside the first 20 minutes when the home side were rampant. Not surprisingly Santos' best scoring chances arrived courtesy of the good old long ball down the middle.

Erwin Isaacs, meanwhile, was not his usual bubbly self and clearly felt the effects of the abdominal strain that had threatened to keep him out of the match. He battled to lend support to strike partner Rodgers and was replaced by Ryan Chapman midway through the second stanza as the hosts pushed forward in search of the elusive winner.

Katlego Mphela's 32nd minute shot which skimmed the upright with goalkeeper Wayne Roberts well beaten was United's only decent effort in the opening half, but Gavin Hunt's charges were more purposeful after the half- time cuppa and asked a lot more questions of Roberts.

Bright remained positive by bringing on Thando Mngomeni for Scott and right wing Tasleem Paulse for left-back Bevan Fransch, but it still did not bring a goal.