Stellenbosch FC were made to rue several missed chances after falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat in the Carling Cup in Polokwane.

Having won the inaugural edition of the Carling Knockout last month, Stellenbosch FC took to the pitch at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon with an opportunity to add the Carling Cup to their name against the Carling All-Stars.

Proceedings almost got off to the perfect start as Antonio van Wyk hit the post in the opening minute, but it was the other end where the deadlock was broken early on, with the All-Stars winning a free-kick in a threatening zone during the early stages of the encounter.

That opportunity was fortuitously capitalised on by talented youngster Mfundo Vilakazi whose straight effort skidded through the grasp of Stellies ‘keeper Sage Stephens as a result of the wet and slippery on-field conditions.

Their lead was doubled soon after by Ashley Du Preez who netted from the penalty spot after Thabo Moloisane was dubiously adjudged to have bundled the former Stellies forward over in the box.

A brief lull in the rain coincided with Stellenbosch regaining their composure and they came close to pulling one back through Andre de Jong, who headed just over from a set-piece situation.

Minutes later, Fawaaz Basadien struck the crossbar directly from a corner before De Jong lobbed opposition goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, only to see his effort bounce inches wide of the All-Stars shot-stopper.

Steve Barker’s side then thought they had pulled one back on the half-hour mark, but the effort was ruled out for a foul on Khune, who was deemed to have had the ball under his control when it was bundled over the line by Moloisane.

The veteran ‘keeper was then in the thick of the action again on the stroke of half-time when he pulled off a sensational acrobatic save to deny Devin Titus and ensure his side’s two-goal advantage remained firm at the break.

Stellies started the second half in the same vein and with the same attacking intent as they ended the first and should have pulled one back through Iqraam Rayners, who inexplicably hit the up-right after dispossessing Khune.

The Cape Winelands club’s pursuit to get back in the game was made all the more challenging shortly after the hour-mark when Athenkosi Mcaba was shown a red card after mistiming a diving challenge on the touchline.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Stellies pushed on and once again tested Khune twice in quick succession, both times through free-kicks from Fawaaz Basadien which were well kept out.

The continued pressure was eventually rewarded when Mervin Boji pulled one back at the death from close-range, but it ultimately proved to be no more than a consolation as the All-Stars emerged 2-1 winners on the day.

Stellenbosch FC starting XI: Stephens, Van Rooyen, Basadien, Moloisane, Mcaba, Nduli, Mgaga, De Jong, Titus, Van Wyk, Rayners