HARARE - Dynamos survived a second half siege on their goal by Motor Action to collect maximum points courtesy of Rodreck Mutuma’s strike in the Castle Premiership yesterday.

The defending champions took their points tally to 52 points from 22 matches; three ahead of second placed Highlanders, who edged Shabanie Mine 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

Although DeMbare were able to collect maximum points against the Mighty Bulls yesterday, their performance on the pitch left a lot to be desired.

Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya admitted his team rode their luck.

“It was a difficult game and a nervy ending towards the end, but we are quite happy that our guys stood their ground and we defended well; that is why we got the three points today,” Ndiraya said.

“We had to make some changes due to injuries but we registered 30 players and we are happy with the guys who came in today.”

Motor Action had plenty of chances to equalise and even win the match but somehow Ngoni Maviri, Merciful Ncube and Yves Ebabali all failed to hit the back of the net.

DeMbare, who were missing the services of regular starters Partson Jaure, Farai Mupasiri and Cliff Sekete, never really got into their stride.

The normally reliable Tawanda Muparati, playing on the right side of the midfield, struggled to combine with the returning Desmond Maringwa and Milton Makopa in the centre of the park.

Denver Mukamba, who has been DeMbare’s creative hub this season, was also largely disappointing against the 2010 champions.

The only time Mukamba showed his true potential was when he created the solitary goal for Mutuma in the 36th minute.

Mukamba showed great persistence to beat Mighty Bulls fullback Passmore Bernard on the left before picking Mutuma with a precise cross inside the box.

Mutuma rose well to get his head to the ball first ahead of Motor Action defender Reuben Machaya.

Before that goal, Motor Action had wasted numerous chances to take the lead.

In the 24th minute, Dynamos were caught out on the break but Mburayi’s attempted chip over goalkeeper George Chigova was too weak and David Kutyauripo recovered to block it for a corner.

Six minutes later, it was Maviri’s turn to waste another glorious opportunity after a mistake from Kutyauripo, who lost possession just outside his box.

With only Chogova to beat, Maviri tried to be too clever and his cheeky lob came off against the upright.

The Mighty Bulls went on to miss a number of good opportunities in the second period as Dynamos continued with their uninspiring play.

Ebabali should have equalised in the 77th minute after a moment of hesitation from the Dynamos defence and Chigova.

The upright again came to the rescue of the defending champions after the Congolese winger reacted first to side foot past Chigova.

Two minutes later, it was the second half substitute Ncube who missed the ball altogether at the far post after Protasho Kabwe’s cross had eluded the entire defence.

Motor Action coach Joey Antipas said: “We had Dynamos on the ropes in the second half and we dominated them but we couldn’t score. I would say we created enough chances to win the game but football is a cruel sport. I think we created enough chances to get a point today.”

 TEAMS

Dynamos: George Chigova, David Kutyauripo, Ocean Mushure, Guthrie Zhokinyi, George Magariro (Gift Bello, 6 min), Milton Makopa (Timire Mamvura, 81 min), Tawanda Muparati, Desmond Maringwa (Murape Murape, 70 min), Denver Mukamba, Martin Vengesayi, Rodreck Mutuma.

Motor Action: Ronald Mudimu, Passmore Bernard, Blessing Chimwamuchere, Morris Kadzola, Reuben Machaya, Edward Tembo, Isaac Masame, Protasho Kabwe, Ngoni Maviri (Merciful Ncube, 75 min), Yves Ebabali, Misheck Mburayi (Norman Maroto, 66min.)