Berlin - Bayer Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voeller admitted the league leaders' 2-2 draw at Schalke 04's Veltins Arena felt like defeat after the home side scored two late goals to poach a point.
With time running out on Saturday night, Leverkusen had been cruising to a 2-0 win through first-half goals by teenager Toni Kroos and Germany striker Stefan Kiessling.
But Schalke stormed back with an 83rd-minute Kevin Kuranyi goal and an equaliser from Vicente Sanchez just before full-time to share the points and leave Leverkusen with a one-point lead at the top of the table.
"We're really disappointed," admitted former Germany striker Voeller.
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"We played brilliantly in the first half, but then failed to use our chances on the break and didn't pass and move as well.
"When you play against Schalke you've always got to expect that they'll come back at you and play long balls.
"Of course it hurts and feels like a defeat."
And Schalke coach Felix Magath, who has warned his club may have to sell some of their squad to balance the books, praised his side for another spirited fight-back which leaves them fourth in the table.
"Leverkusen are the best side that we've played so far," said Magath after his side also produced a second-half fight-back against Hamburg the weekend before.
"After going two goals down, I didn't think we'd be able to reproduce last week's great form and get back into the game.
"We fought back magnificently and showed a lot of grit and determination, but we didn't play the better football."
Werder Bremen are now second in the table after attacking midfielder Aaron Hunt scored two second-half goals to claim a 2-2 draw at Nuremberg.
And third-placed Hamburg were shocked 3-2 by mid-table Borussia Moenchengladbach who had substitute striker Rob Friend to thank for a late goal.
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