An inspiring defensive display by AmaZulu helped secure a 0-0 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday.
A point for the Usuthu, a first they have taken off Chiefs since the 2008/09 season, moved them into the top eight ahead of the remaining fixtures for 2011.
More than 25,000 fans attended the clash at the 2010 World Cup venue, and after a fairly subdued opening the game burst into life in the 10th minute when Masango drove in a cross from the right which somehow both George Lebese and Ngcobo missed.
Moments later Ngcobo wastefully shot over from the edge of the box as Chiefs began to find their footing.
The striker did manage to get the ball in the back of the net after 16 minutes, but it was correctly ruled off-side. Up at the other end Ayanda Dlamini should have done better with his final cross after racing down the right flank during a lightning quick counter-attack.
Amakhosi had two chances to go in front either side of the half-hour mark, both falling to Ngcobo.
Firstly the ball was gifted to Masango in midfield and he put the former Free State Stars striker clean through, one-on-one with Tapuwa Kapini, but the goalkeeper was up to the challenge and pushed the ball wide.
An error from Goodman Dlamini then let in Ngcobo again, but after getting into the box he dragged the final attempt past the post.
The pressure continued to come thick and fast on the Usuthu goal and the hosts had Belux Kasonga to thank when he threw his body on the line to deflect a Lebese shot.
Shortly before the break, Thamsanqa Sangweni made his way to the left byline, but he hardly had any options with his cross - the story of the first half for the home side after a lack of options in the final third.
It was goalless at the break and after the restart Siphiwe Tshabalala scooped his 20-yard free-kick over the bar, while Ayanda Dlamini went for the wrong option and shot straight at Arthur Bartman with options on either side.
Ngcobo missed another gilt-edge chance before the hour mark by putting his header wide after being left unmarked in the six-yard box.
The anxious Chiefs crowd thought they had a penalty after 65 minutes when Tshabalala went down in the box, but the Bafana Bafana midfielder was booked for diving, much to the visiting fans' frustration.
With 20 minutes to play Vladimir Vermezovic threw on Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro, but it was AmaZulu who created the next opening when Moses Chavula headed inches over after arriving late at the back post.
Ayanda Dlamini had another chance to hit the target but failed to do so when Goodman Dlamini broke superbly and crossed from the left.
With the clock ticking down, Tau wasted a free header at the back post, which was nodded straight to Kapini, with Masango then stabbing wide after turning sublimely in the penalty area.
Chiefs were throwing everything forward at that stage and Tshabalala shot wide in the dying seconds as AmaZulu settled for the draw.