RB Leipzig come from behind to snatch a victory against Darmstadt as an unlikely hero popped up with a late winner.
Both side's went into this Friday clash on the back of 1-1 draw's. The home side managed to earn a hard fought draw with promotion chaser's Kaiserslautern, while Darmstadt were held by Heidenheim.
The first real chance of the game was created by RB Leipzig, the ball was clipped into Yussuf Poulsen and the Dane delightfully chested the ball into the path of José Yordy Reyna, the midfielder then charged towards goal and with four defenders around him he produced a great effort on goal which saw Christian Mathenia flick the shot round the post.
Despite the positive start, the game quickly turned into a very tight encounter which saw both keepers go largely untested as Darmstadt defended well against Leipzig's attacks and barely created anything themselves.
Just after the half hour mark both team's had chances from crosses, first up was Darmstadt, Marcel Heller crossed from the left and Tobias Kempe won the header ten yards out, however the effort was well over. Poulsen then had a chance for the host's, his effort was on target but it couldn't beat Mathenia who gathered safely.
The last chance of the half fell to Darmstadt and they would've scored had it not been for some terrific defending from Joshua Kimmich. The midfielder cleared off the line to deny Kempe from the corner before blocking Dominik Stroh-Engel's effort from the rebound.
Darmstadt started the second half very well and caused Leipzig plenty of problems down the right. Kempe and Hanno Behrens in particular caused the back four problems, Kempe crossed for Behrens at the near post, unfortunately it was just in front of him despite his efforts to reach it. Another chance from the right saw Leon Balogun break free and his cross to the near post was well defended by Kimmich who knocked the ball out for a corner.
There wasn't many chances in the game as both team's cancelled each other out, Leipzig had more possession and tried to work the ball into the area, whereas Darmstadt stayed tight and looked for the counter attacks.
In the 77th minute Darmstadt broke the deadlock, Sandro Sirigu played the ball down the line to Kempe who managed to stay just onside. Kempe brought the ball forward and provided a lovely cross to pick out an unmarked Behrens, who managed to tap in from a few yards out.
Darmstadt's joy was short lived however as two minutes later Leipzig made things level again. The away side weren't able to defend a ball forward well and after the ball roll loose Romain Brégerie's clearance struck the incoming Lukas Klostermann and flew past Mathenia.
Leipzig were on top after the goal, however it was Darmstadt that forced the next opportunity, Heller crossed from the left and found Sirigu, who's header was well saved by Fabio Coltorti.
It was an entertaining end to the match and it stayed that way right to the last kick of the game as Leipzig snatched a late winner. It was an unlikely hero from the corner, Omer Damari headed the ball down to the unmarked goalkeeper Coltorti and the Leipzig number one turned and fired past Mathenia to spend everyone wild. Darmstadt claimed for offside, however Stroh-Engel was the man caught ball watching and kept him onside.
That was the last kick off the game and it's a valuable victory for the hosts and they'll be hoping it gives them a boost going into the last few games of the season as they have an eye on a late promotion push. Leipzig face St. Pauli next and they'll be hoping for a couple more slip ups from the team's above.
As for Darmstadt after two draw's they fail to win once again, the second automatic spot may be out of reach now as Kaiserslautern won meaning Darmstadt are now four points behind them. They could drop down to fourth if Karlsruher manage to get a point or defeat Greuther Fürth tomorrow. Die Lilien fans will be hoping their team responds well to the defeat and put in a performance against promotion rivals Kaiserslautern next weekend.