Marques the hero as Orlando Pirates go into Soweto Derby on the back of deflating draw

Cape Town City goalkeeper Hugo Marques was in inspired form to help his side hold Orlando Pirates to a goalless draw in their DStv Premiership clash at the Orlando stadium.

The Buccaneers dominated most of the proceedings but could not beat Angolan shot-stopper Marques, who made a few brilliant saves.

The point means Pirates miss the chance to move up to second in the league standings while the Citizens are into the top-eight.

The Soweto giants went on the attack early with Deon Hotto firing a volley over the cross-bar in the second minute.

Marques was then called into action as he acrobatically denied Bandile Shandu and then saved with his legs off Hotto not long after.

Pirates right-back Shandu was certainly getting into good attacking areas in the first half and Marques again had to be alert on the half-hour mark.

City did not create much going forward but could have taken the lead just before halftime when Tashreeq Morris shot straight at Pirates 'keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane from four-yards out.

Then in first-half stoppage time, Thabo Nodada tested Mpontshane from the long-range but the shot-stopper made a fine save.

Pirates continued to see more of the ball after the interval but the visitors tightened up considerably in defence to deny the hosts more clear-cut chances.

Hotto hit the side-netting while Marques was again superb when he denied Fortune Makaringe in the 54th minute.

The Citizens will be the happier of the teams taking a valuable point on the road while Pirates will need to work on their play in the attacking third ahead of the big Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.