Drumstick boys hold the Mighty Bulls

DEFENDING champions Motor Action suffered yet another stumble in their quest to retain the Castle Lager Premiership title after they were held by stubborn Chicken Inn in a lively encounter yesterday.

Chicken Inn drew first blood at Motor Action Sports Club through Evans Chikwaikwai, while second-half substitute Tawanda Nyamandwe equalised for the home side.

Chikwaikwai gave the visitors the lead in the 64th minute after Danny Phiri's clever pass caught the Motor Action defence napping to give him all the time he needed to round off Marlon Jani before slotting the ball home.

However, the lead lasted only four minutes. Nyamandwe received a square ball from Alan Gahadzikwa before outpacing the Chicken Inn defence before burying the ball into the far corner.

Backed by purported Dynamos supporters, Chicken Inn dominated the first half as they created several scoring chances but were let down by their strikers.

Chikwaikwai showed some flashes of brilliance and each time he had possession he troubled the Motor Action rearguard.

Again Chicken Inn could have scored in the 34th minute after some good build-ups laced with intelligent passes saw the ball fall in the path of Felix Chindungwe whose pile-driver went just wide.

The second half saw Chicken Inn continue with their dominance and three minutes after the resumption of the second period, Brian Mbiriri flighted an inviting cross that Phiri could not direct into a yawning goal.

Chicken Inn coach Philani Ncube was happy with collecting a point away from home.