Stuart Baxter congratulated the University of Pretoria for putting a gutsy performance in a 1 all draw played under rainy conditions at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 15 December 2012.

The Glamour Boys scored first through a well taken goal from George Lebese in the 55th minute but allowed Tuks to come back in the 64th minute through Mame Niang strike. The hosts tried hard to search for an elusive winner but found ‘Man of the Match’ goalkeeper, Washington Arubi at his best.

“It was a difficult game. Steve (Barker) has done a superb job with his team. They were much organised and worked very hard for one another. It was a brave performance and they did well defensively and I would like to congratulate them for such a display,” said Baxter.

“I felt that we played decently at times not as well as we can play. I thought we did not pay attention to our structure in particular in the first half. There was too much improvisation that allowed Tuks to come at us.

“At halftime we spoke about this, in the second half we saw more structure and did well by scoring a goal. Steve says we looked a bit jaded and I am not sure if Orlando Pirates also looked a bit jaded in their win. We allowed them to come back into the game and that is why we went with three strikers to try and go more direct.

I think if we were more clinical we should have snatched a winner but it was not to be and I am not going to sit and moan about that. We just have to make sure that we address some of the weaknesses ahead of the game against Amazulu on Tuesday.

The Briton said he was pleased that they ended first round on pole position on the log, “There is a lot of work that has been done and credit should go to the players for such a wonderful job. If you had told me at the beginning of the season that we will finish the first round in the first position I would have probably laughed at you. We know that there is still a long way to go but this is positive.

Chiefs lead the Absa Premiership with 32 points after 15 games.