Neither Karlsruher SC or VfL Bochum could find the crucial third goal in their tussle on Saturday afternoon, as they played out a 1-1 draw.
Stefano Celozzi opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard strike, and sent Gertjan Verbeek's side in to the break with the lead.
However, Tomas Oral roused his troops after the interval and Dimitrios Diamantakos' fine finished ensured the game ended level.
Celozzi stunner opens the scoring
Karlsruhe pressed early and high in the opening stages and almost got their reqard in the opening minute when space opening up for Yamada, though his effort was saved by Manuel Riemann. Bochum were not to be outdone and a superb chance fell for Marco Stiepermann moments later, only for Martin Stoll to make a vital block.
Peniel Mlapa shot straight at René Vollath in what proved to be a purple patch for Verbeek's side, but the pace began to slow considerably after that. KSC dropped deep to try and ride out the Ruhr side's attacks, though Stiepermann was still dangerous and had a volley and a further shot fly narrowly past the left post.
While Bochum continued to push on, Oral and his men were forced to look for the counter and to set-pieces. Moritz Stoppelkamp's delivery was almost turned in by one of several, waiting blue shirts, while he was mere inches away from sliding Diamantakos in on goal a few minutes later.
It was clear that something special would be required to break KSC down, and Celozzi came up with just what was needed. The right-back trundled forward before taking aiming from 25 yards and rifled into the top corner, Vollath powerless to prevent his side going behind. It was Celozzi's first ever professional goal, and what a strike it was.
A late penalty appeal was correctly turned down for a supposed Jan Gyamerah handball, which also brought the half to an end.
Diamantakos earns a point for KSC
Recognising the need for change, Oral brought on Erwin Hoffer for Matthias Bader at the break. With Enrico Valentini back in his more usual right-back position and David Kinsombi filling in on the left, Karlsruhe looked more at home. It was, however, a slow start to the second period.
The first 15 minutes of the half came and went in a flash with very little to shout about for either side. Instead, it was a time for substitutions. Bochum countered the changes of the opposition with Nils Quaschner and Johannes Wurtz replacing Mlapa and Gyamerah respectively.
KSC had the only real chance of note moments later when a cross came at Diamantakos too quickly, and the forward was unable to react. However, after Manuel Torres was unleashed down the right, he wouldn't pass up another chance. The Spaniard whipped in a low cross and Diamantakos flicked brilliantly into the bottom corner to level.
The two teams then set about finding a winner but their play was disjointed right until the final whistle. Vollath's superb save from Quaschner, and Stoppelkamp blazing over the bar from Karlsruhe remained the only opportunities in the closing stages and both were forced to settle for a point.
Karlsruhe and Bochum stay unbeaten, but the latter do have a win to their name this season. Next up for KSC is 1860 Munich, while Bochum take on Hannover 96.