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Bayern held by leaders Leverkusen

Dejected Bayern players face up to the reality of more dropped points at the Allianz Arena.
Dejected Bayern players face up to the reality of more dropped points at the Allianz Arena.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Bayern Munich held to 1-1 home draw by leaders Bayer Leverkusen
  • Stefan Kiessling's equalizer ensures frustrating afternoon for Louis van Gaal's men
  • Hamburg upset 1-0 at home by struggling VfL Bochum

(CNN) -- Bayern Munich failed to make up ground in the Bundesliga title race as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by unbeaten leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Louis van Gaal had said before the game that his job as Bayern coach was on the line and his side's fourth draw at the Allianz Arena this season hardly improves the Dutchman's position.

The deserved point takes Leverkusen ahead of Werder Bremen at the top and they are six clear of Bavarian giants Bayern, who are seventh just ahead of defending champions VfL Wolsburg.

Mario Gomez gave Bayern the lead in the eighth minute, but in-form striker Stefan Kiessling hit back to level six minutes later.

Bayern left the field to a poor reception from the 69,000 fans, who are growing tired of a lack of success at home.

Leverkusen almost took an early lead when Kiessling's goalbound header was blocked by Daniel van Buyten in the fourth minute, but it was Bayern who went ahead soon afterwards as Gomez scored his first goal in over two months from an assist by Miroslav Klose before placing his shot past Rene Adler.

Kiessling's equalizer in the 14th minute came as he beat the offside trap before beating Van Buyten and picking his spot beyond Hans-Jorg Butt.

Kiessling later had the ball in the net from an offside position and then tested Butt, who had to make a neat save.

Bayern had their own offside goal ruled out in the second half and Gomez went close to forcing a late winner, but the visitors held on for a deserved point.

Bayern now face Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League on Wednesday with their qualification hopes hanging by a thread and van Gaal under more pressure.

In Sunday's late game, second bottom Bochum scored an upset 1-0 victory at SV Hamburg.

A 77th-minute goal by substitute Dennis Grote dented Hamburg's title hopes as they are fifth in the standings on goal difference behind Hoffenheim.