BERLIN, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Front-runners Dortmund dropped points after Frankfurt secured a 2-2 stalemate on home soil while Bayern Munich overcame ten-men Hamburg 1-0 at the 9th round of Bundesliga on Saturday.
The "BVB" were unable to defend a two-goal advantage as Frankfurt scored two goals, through Sebastien Haller and Marius Wolf, within four minutes to wrap up a two all draw in front of home crowd.
Dortmund ensured a bright start after a lively exchange with Frankfurt with 19 minutes into the game when Marc Bartra's intended shot on target found Nuri Sahin, who poked home the opener from seven meters.
Frankfurt wobbled but regrouped to produce scoring opportunities as Marius Wolf failed to overcome Dortmund custodian Roman Buerki following a one-on-one before Sebastien Haller pulled wide from promising position.
After the restart, both side pressed for a goal yet both teams lacked in accuracy at each end of the pitch. Dortmund found the back of the net eventually after Maximilian Philipp had all time and space to unleash a well placed shot into the far post corner from 15 meters in the 57th minute.
Frankfurt responded with furious attacks, which lead to a foul play by Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Buerki to Ante Rebic inside the box. The hosts reduced the arrears from the penalty spot as Haller slotted home into the top right corner with 64 minutes played.
However, the hosts were not done with the scoring and flabbergasted Dortmund with the 2-2-equalizer after Wolf finished off Mijat Gacinovic's through ball four minutes later.
Both teams were seeking for the winner but neither Gacinovic's header nor Sahin's shot on target crossed the goal line in a fast-paced closing period.
With the draw, Dortmund stay atop the standings due to their goal difference meanwhile Frankfurt remain on the 7th place.
Bayern Munich capitalized on Dortmund's draw and closed the gap in the standings after beating Hamburg on the sole goal of Corentin Tolisso.
Other than expected it were Hamburg, who started on the front foot on home soil meanwhile Bayern Munich failed to establish their rhythm in the first half.
Andre Hahn worked out the best chance for the hosts as the striker tested Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich with a long-range effort.
However, the hosts helped Bayern to gain a foothold into the encounter as Gideon Jung tried to prevent a counter attack with a foul play to Kingsley Coman for which he saw straight red card in the 39th minute.
After the restart, Bayern turned up and made use of their numerical advantage as Thomas Mueller passed to Corentin Tolisso, who marked the opener from close range and his second goal of the season in the 52nd minute.
Hamburg pressed for the equalizer but only Andre Hahn came close whereas Bayern came in with more chances but Thiago Alcantara and Arjen Robben were unable to score a second goal.
With the win, Bayern remain on the 2nd place and are now equal on points with front-runners Dortmund, who have a better goal difference. Meanwhile Hamburg continue on the 15th position of the standings.
Elsewhere, Borussia Monchengladbach gave away a 1-0 lead and got crushed 1-5 by Bayer Leverkusen, who turned the tides with five second-half goals.
Newly promoted Hannover returned to winning ways after bouncing back to beat Augsburg 2-1 and third-placed Leipzig craved out a 1-0 victory over newly promoted Stuttgart.
The following fixtures complete the 9th round on Sunday: Cologne host Werder Bremen for a bottom clash, Freiburg encounter Hertha Berlin and Wolfsburg face Hoffenheim.
