Bayer Leverkusen lost more ground in their fight for a top three finish after twice coming from a goal down before conceding an 89th minute goal to lose 3-2 to Hoffenheim yesterday for their fifth defeat in the last six league games.

Frenchman Anthony Modeste tapped in a minute from the end to snatch the winner and leave Leverkusen in fourth place on 44 points, six behind the last automatic Champions League spot.

Hoffenheim, eager to take revenge for a controversial defeat earlier in the season, stunned the hosts with an audacious penalty from Sejad Salihovic, who chipped the ball straight into the middle of diving Bernd Leno’s goal.

Leverkusen levelled with a Stefan Kiessling header from an Emir Spahic cross in the 39th minute.

The visitors immediately restored their lead when Kevin Volland capped a superb run with a curled a shot a minute later.

Leverkusen pulled level again with captain Simon Rolfes before Modeste’s fine touch in the box ended Leverkusen’s hopes of taking a point.

Bundesliga: Nuremberg vs E. Frankfurt 2-5; B. Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim 2-3.

Leading standings: B. Munich 74; B. Dortmund 51; Schalke 50; B. Leverkusen 44; B. M’gladbach 42.

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