Koln 1 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen : Finne finish for Cologne

Cologne left it late to grab a point at home to Bayer Leverkusen and dent their local rivals' Champions League direct qualification hopes in a 1-1 Rhineland derby draw.

Bard Finne cancelled out Julian Brandt's effort to earn the Goats a deserved draw which takes them a point closer to survival.

Seven points now separate Peter Stoger's men from the relegation zone with four games remaining, while Leverkusen could lose third place to Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

The Rhineland derby started with Cologne on the front foot, eager to show who was lord of the Mungersdorferstadion manor.

Germany international Jonas Hector sent in the first shot from a free-kick which missed the target and his cross set up Yuya Osako, whose shot from a tight angle was beaten away by Bernd Leno at his near post.

Leverkusen may have been looking a bit off colour, but they still had the best chance of the first half, which was wasted by Hakan Calhanoglu.

Dominic Maroh was adjudged to have fouled Stefan Kiessling inside the penalty area and the Turkish midfielder Calhanoglu, usually so deadly with a set-piece, showed he is also human by allowing Timo Horn to save his effort.

It would have been harsh on Cologne, who continued to dictate the play going into the second half, albeit without providing the final ball or touch.

They were punished on the hour mark when Leverkusen took the lead against the run of play, Brandt driving the ball in after Karim Bellarabi led a quick and successful counter-attack for Leverkusen.

Marcel Risse went close to equalising before Anthony Ujah headed wide with the chances continuing to arrive for the hosts, whose persistence paid off in the 83rd minute.

Finne volleyed in after Tin Jedvaj slipped, and the Mungersdorferstadion erupted.

Kevin Vogt nearly snatched victory for Cologne, and there would have been no complaints from the guests either as they ended up holding on for a point.