A late goal from Bernard Parker salvaged a 2-2 draw for Kaizer Chiefs with Swallows, which sent the Birds into the playoffs while Chiefs miss out on continental football.

After a slow start, Chiefs took the lead via former Swallows star Ngcobo rising highest to nod home a cross from Reeve Frosler with 20 minutes gone.

The visitors then had a golden chance to level matters just before the half-hour mark, but Musonda couldn’t keep his shot down with only the keeper to beat.

The visitors should have levelled matters just before the hour mark when Solomons did well to pick out Musonda, who headed over the crossbar with only Bruce Bvuma to beat.

Swallows were knocking on the door as Junaid Saint went close with a header before Bvuma parried Solomons’ cross on to the woodwork.

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Swallows almost got their reward just before the interval, with Junaid Sait rising above his marker to meet an outswinging corner that was parried away by Bvuma, who nearly gifted the equaliser seconds later when he spilled Solomons’ cross on to the woodwork.

The game was then turned on its head in a moment of drama just after the hour mark when Phathutshedzo Nange kept the ball out of his net with his hand. Despite lengthy consultations the referee decided to stick with his original decision and sent Nange off.

Solomons stepped up to take the all-important penalty and showed great composure to send Bvuma in the wrong direction and level matters on the day.

Swallows were then awarded a second penalty eight minutes later when Ngcobo handled the ball in the box. Solomons took responsibility again and calmly slotted into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Swallows were looking to manage the game heading into the closing stages but were hit by a suckerpunch with six minutes to play as Bernard Paker’s free kick deflected past Jody February.

The game finished 2-2 with both sides picking up a point. The result placed Chiefs in fourth spot while Swallows will compete in the relegation playoffs.

Elsewhere in the league, Baroka suffered a 1-0 loss against Maritzburg United which had them relegated from the top flight while Stellenbosch denied Cape Town City a second-place finish with a 1-0 win at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Both the Mamelodi Sundowns vs Royal AM and AmaZulu vs Golden Arrows matches were posponed due to waterlogged pitches and continued rainfall.

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