Hertha throw spoke in Leverkusen wheel

German league leaders Bayer Leverkusen just preserved their unbeaten league record this season with a 2-2 draw Friday at tailenders Hertha Berlin.

Jupp Heynckes’ side managed to extend their lead to a provisional four points but Hertha, winless since the opening day of the season, gave them a run for their money with Colombian Adrian Ramos putting the hosts in front in the eighth minute.

Eren Derdiyok almost headed the visitors level inside five minutes but Jaroslav Drobny just denied him.

Leverkusen upped the pace after the interval against a side which last season came fourth before its recent fall from grace.

League top scorer Stefan Kiessling and Toni Kroos forced Drobny into further fine saves before a Kroos half volley on 75 minutes made it 1-1.

Burak Kaplan then scored in the final minute but just as it seemed Leverkusen had sealed the points Ramos headed in a deserved leveller for Friedhelm Funkel’s battlers in injury time.

Hertha’s comeback was all the worthier in that they had been down to ten men from the 77th minute following the dismissal of Gojko Kacar.

Werder Bremen will Saturday hope to close the gap to a single point with a victory over third-placed Schalke while a resurgent Bayern Munich, buoyed by their midweek success at Juventus, can go within two points of pole position with a win at modest Bochum.