A late Elias Kachunga goal gave Paderborn a deserved equaliser after a second-half full of pressure on Freiburg's goal. The visitors had gone one-nil up through Vladimir Darida's penalty, but Roman Bürki's mistake meant the points were shared at the Benteler-Arena.

André Breitenreiter and his men were desperate to end a run of three league games without a win, but he now had two crucial defenders fit again. Jens Wemmer and Uwe Hünemeier came on for Michael Heinloth and Rafa, while Daniel Brückner replaced Florian Hartherz. There were three further changes; as Mario Vrancic, Moritz Stopplelkamp and Elias Kachunga dropped out for Lukas Rupp, Alban Meha and Mahir Saglik, with the Paderborn coach not afraid to ring the changes.

Last time out for Freiburg, they tasted defeat for the first time in four games, when they fell to a 1-4 defeat to Stuttgart. The loss came from mainly individual errors, though chief culprit Stefan Mitrovic was unavailable after being sent-off in that game; that meant Pavel Krmas replaced the Serb in Freiburg's only change to that line-up from last Friday.

It was a very even opening to the game with both sides enjoying comfortable possession without forcing the issue, although that soon to change when Felix Klaus broke towards the box. He weaved and wiggled his way into the area, when his run was brought to a halt by Hünemeier and Peter Sippel had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was far from an ideal return to action for Paderborn's captain and when Vladimir Darida converted for his sixth goal of the season, that misery was compounded further.

The goal awoke the hosts from their slumber, however. Meha and co. were beginning to gain a foothold. Süleyman Koc blazed a cross along the six yard box and Marvin Bakalorz sent a header wide; with the hosts finding it hard force Roman Bürki into a meaningful save, despite their attacking momentum. Mahir Saglik then had two good chances; his headed effort blazed off target, although his powerful, low shot was well held by Bürki. It wasn't the most entertaining forty-five minutes of football; not that the visitors would mind, after a solid defensive performance and a goal to match

It was a lively start to the second-half, with Elias Kachunga's introduction allowing Paderborn to switch into a 4-4-2 formation. The Benteler-Arena crowd were rowdy and wanted red for Nicolas Höfler's late challenge on Bakalorz, before Kachunga fired wide of Bürki's left-hand post. Sippel was in danger of losing control of the game, but did well not to fall for Christian Strohdiek's petty attempts at drawing a foul. Admir Mehmedi was having a quiet game, but Lukas Kruse had to make a smart save to deny the Swiss striker once he sprang into life.

The pressure continued on Bürki and his defence. Kachunga, Meha, Rupp and Saglik all having chances to try and get the goal for the hosts. However, the back-four held firm and fresh legs in Karim Guede and Mike Frantz gave them the opportunity to hit the ball long and chase it down, in an attempt to waste a few valuable seconds. However, the hosts were not to be denied and Kachunga finally converted a chance. Bürki clashed with his defenders and that allowed the forward to round the stranded goalkeeper and slide the ball into an empty net.

The draw, which was more than a fair result on the balance of play, doesn't do much for either side. Paderborn pull four points clear of the relegation zone with the point, but it leaves Freiburg level with sixteenth placed Werder Bremen. The hosts will be much the happier side, even though they are away to Wolfsburg next weekend. Freiburg host fellow strugglers Hamburger SV on Saturday and will be confidence of making amends for conceding late on.