Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic said they had drawn to many games this season as they lost out on the Absa Premiership title on the final day.

The Buccaneers beat Polokwane City 3-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday but in the end had to settle for second place in the PSL standings after falling two points short of Sundowns.

The Soweto giants lost three games out of the 30 league encounters and were forced to share the spoils in 12 encounters throughout the campaign.

Going into the final round of fixtures, Pirates needed to win, which they duly did, and they had to hope Sundowns slipped up against Free State Stars, but the Tshwane club held their nerve for a 1-0 victory.

Sredojevic told SuperSport TV after the game: "We needed to win, we got the performance and the result but in the same moment, we closed the marathon of 30 matches.

"We have surpassed the tally of last year’s points; we got 55 (points) last year and 57 this year.

"We have downgraded on two losses last year, as in two years we have lost just eight competitive games.

"On the other side, we had too many draws and this where we paid an extensive price, we had 15 wins and in two seasons 30 wins, meaning we surpass the tally of last season.

"At least, had we won six out of the 12 it would have been a different story by now."

The Serbian mentor believes his team has learned valuable lessons this campaign and will return next season and give the PSL title another full go.

Sredojevic added: "We've learned the lesson that Orlando Pirates will use it in the best possible way next season.

"I want use the opportunity to congratulate them (Sundowns); we have been at the opportunity with them neck and neck. We've done all our best."