HARARE - Relegation threatened Black Mambas earned a valuable draw against Chicken Inn as their battle to survive the drop in the Castle Lager Premiership continued yesterday.

The home side had forward last Chibwiro to thank after he scored the equaliser in the 70th minute to cancel out Moses Jackson’s opener for Chicken Inn that had come five minutes earlier.

With the draw, the police side take their points tally to 24 from 22 matches but remain in 12th place.

This gives them breathing space with 13th placed Gunners, who are on 18 points and travel to Gweru to face Hardbody this afternoon.

Black Mambas assistant coach Martin Bonongwe was not particularly pleased with the result but credited his players for their resolve.

“As a coach I am not happy at settling for a third consecutive draw but I’m pleased with the strikers, who are giving their best in all our games,” Bonongwe said.

Chicken Inn coach Adam Ndlovu blamed his goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni for failing to stop the home side’s equaliser.

“I’m disappointed with my goalkeeper he let in a silly goal and the boys today also failed to utilise the chances which came their way,” Ndlovu said.

The Bulawayo-based side opened the scoring when Jackson received an inviting pass from Kuda Mahachi before unleashing a powerful shot past Mambas goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.

Chicken Inn however failed to defend the lead after allowing Kasimero Chimbadzwa plenty of room in midfield before picking Chibwiro with a perfect pass inside the box.

The former Power Masters striker shot past Nyoni, who failed to hold onto the ball to gift the home side an equaliser. - Blessings Mashaya