Cologne frustrate record-breaking Leverkusen

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BERLIN, Feb 27, 2010 (AFP) - Bayer Leverkusen set a new German record by stretching their unbeaten start to the season to 24 matches on Saturday but missed out on extending their lead at the top after a 0-0 draw with Cologne.

Leverkusen could have pulled three points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich with victory in the 50th Rhine derby but were frustrated by an obdurate Cologne side that boasts the sixth best away record in the Bundesliga.

Veteran Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon was the visitors' hero, clawing a Sami Hyypia header off his goal-line in the 13th minute and repelling Renato Augusto's fierce strike early in the second half.

Bayern host fourth-placed Hamburg on Sunday, when victory will take them to the top of the table for the first time since they won their last German title in 2008.

Earlier, Werder Bremen capped a fine week by winning 2-1 at 10-man Mainz to move to within a point of the European qualifying positions.

Bremen booked their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a 4-1 win at home to Dutch side FC Twente on Thursday and they were given an early advantage at Mainz when the hosts' midfielder Florian Heller was shown a straight red card in the 14th minute after clashing with Aaron Hunt.

Germany midfielder Tim Borowski gave the visitors the lead in the 31st minute with a free-kick that caught Mainz goalkeeper Heinz Muller on his heels.

Mainz drew level shortly before half-time when Aristide Bance scored with a thunderous 25-yard effort for his sixth goal of the season but substitute Sebastian Broedl restored Bremen's lead with a left-footed strike five minutes after the break.

Bremen are now a point shy of fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund, who occupy the last qualifying berth for next season's Europa League.

Stuttgart maintained their fine recent form by coming from behind to win 2-1 at home to over-achieving Eintracht Frankfurt.

Christian Gross's team drew 1-1 at home to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday and they had Brazil-born German international striker Cacau to thank again on Saturday after going behind to a Benjamin Koehler effort in the 39th minute.

Cacau scored four goals in the 5-1 demolition of Cologne last weekend and was also on target against Barcelona.

He took his tally to seven in three matches with a quick-fire double shortly before the break to earn Stuttgart a win that sends them up to eighth.

Bottom club Hertha Berlin's bid to pull away from the foot of the table received a blow when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Hoffenheim.

Borussia Moenchengladbach drew 1-1 at home to Freiburg, while Nuremberg climbed one place to third-bottom after securing a goalless draw at Bochum.

In Friday night's game, Schalke needed an 83rd-minute winner from Ivan Rakitic to secure a 2-1 win at home to Dortmund that strengthened their grip on third place and lifted them to within a point of the leading pair.

Defending champions Wolfsburg, currently 12th, visit Hanover in Sunday's other game.