Union looked to be cruising early on, when Benjamin Köhler and Christopher Quiring gave them a quick-fire two goal lead. An own-goal from Michael Parensen and Marvin Matip's header levelled proceedings, before Sebastian Polter looked to have won the game for the capital club. However, with just minutes remaining, substitute Andre Mijatovic headed home the equaliser.

Ingolstadt were hoping to continue their excellent form and extend their lead to six points at the top of the league. Unfortunately, Danny da Costa was unable to play; the key defender broke his shin in last Friday's 0-0 draw with Fortuna Düsseldorf and was replaced by Konstantin Engel. There was also a change up front, as Tomas Pekhart came in for Moritz Hartmann.

Union slipped to a 0-1 defeat against Greuther Fürth, also on Friday past. They needed a change in form to prevent them from slipping further down the 2.Bundesliga table. Star-striker Sören Brandy was suspended, so Martin Kobylanski. Manager Norbert Düwel made one further alteration, with Eroll Zejnullahu replaced by Damir Kreilach in midfield.

As expected, the opening exchanges were dominated by the home side. Alfredo Morales and Pascal Groß were controlling the game in midfield, but were limited to long-range efforts. However, when the capital club made their way up the pitch, they made it count. After earning a corner, Engel was judged to have fouled Christopher Quiring; struck with disbelief, with what seemed to be a clear dive, the appeals fell on deaf ears. Benjamin Köhler sent Ramazan Özcan the wrong way and Union into the lead.

Unfortunately for the hosts, things were to get even worse just three minutes later. Culprit Quiring was played through by Keilach's superb long ball, Ingolstadt's criminally high line was punished. The winger raced through on goal, showing the defence a clean pair of heels, before placing a great finish past the onrushing Özcan. Ingolstadt fans, players and coaches alike were shocked, as Union then began to exercise their control on the game.

Not to be deterred, less of the ball seemed to be doing Ingolstadt the world of good. A long-ball towards Mathew Leckie was duly collected by the Australian, who evaded the challenge of Roberto Puncec before going one-on-one against Mohamed Amsif. Michael Parensen seemingly made a great recovery tackle, though it looped over his own goalkeeper and into the net.

That gave all the momentum to hosts and captain fantastic Marvin Matip rose highest from a corner to power home a fully deserved equaliser. Groß' costless-kick was inch-perfect and Matip provided a wonderful flicked header, completely unmarked, to bring the sides level on the stroke of half-time. An extremely entertaining half of football, not without it's controversy, the second half period followed a similar pattern of play.

Groß was in supreme form, as he went inches from putting Ingolstadt in front. Lukas Hinterseer also went close, as the home side began to pile on the pressure. The attacker was angered moments later, when they had a penalty appeal of their own turned down. Even with their attacking threat and prowess, the Union defence had recovered from the nightmare nine minutes at the end of the first-half and were taking up a solid defensive line.

When the back-four finally did part, Hinterseer dragged the best chance of the half wide. Put through by Groß, the Austrian dragged his shot harmlessly wide of goal. The onslaught continued, with Ingolstadt's relentless attempts to score a winner unending; that mission to score soon took greater importance, as Union took the lead once more. Sebastian Polter collected Maxi Thiel's through-ball, turned Benjamin Hübner with ease and nutmegged Özcan to send the capital club 2-3 up.

What looked to be the winner, was cancelled out in added time. Super sub Andre Mijatovic rose from a set-piece, stretching every sinew to place a header in off the post to level the game. A heart-breaking blow for Union, who missed out on an invaluable three points. Ingolstadt stretch their lead to four points at the top of the table, but it could be cut to just three if Fortuna win on Monday.

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]