1. FC Kaiserslautern and Fortuna Düsseldorf were left with a point apiece on Monday night, both missing a host of chances as the game remained goalless throughout, finishing 0-0 at the referee's final whistle.
Despite being viewed as underdogs going into the game, it was Kaiserslautern who had the better start, going close with less than two minutes on the clock.
Aliji shoots from range as Bebou misses amazing early chance
A blocked free-kick was played quickly to left-back Naser Aliji who, despite not being known for his long range shooting, tested Michael Rensing with a powerful effort. The goalkeeper managed to push it out, before fortunately watching the rebound get slammed wide by Coltan Stieber.
Despite that, Fortuna were always going to threaten, and should have taken the lead when Ihlas Bebou was presented with a magnificent chance inside the six yard box. Timing his run just right, Bebou got onto the end of Axel Bellinghausen's left-footed cross, only to spurn the opportunity by slicing his effort wide.
The miss was a setback, but it didn't stop Düsseldorf looking to take that early lead, with another good chance going astray, Burnley loanee Rouwen Hennings heading over from Julian Schauerte's looping cross.
Fortuna did continue to look more likely to score as the half went on, but the quality of their chances decreased, Bellinghausen restricted to seeing a deflected strike from distance fly over minutes after Rensing had been forced into a save by Marol Frey at the other end.
Excellent Akpoguma halts home attackers
Kaiserslautern were, in fairness, doing their upmost to get up the pitch and get ahead, but most attacks were stifled by the brilliant defending of Kevin Akpoguma, who enjoyed a magnificent first half.
The second half started as the first had, with Kaiserslautern going close, Osawe dinking the ball over the 'keeper only for Schauerte to deny him with a vital clearance. Stipe Vucur headed straight at Rensing from the following corner.
Daniel Halfar had limited impact in the first hour, but may feel that he should have had an assist just past the 60 minute mark, standing up a nice cross for Osawe which the striker headed over.
The standard of crossing was excellent throughout the game, Lukas Schmitz floating a lovely ball in for Hennings at the other end, this time the resulting header was straight at the goalkeeper. The forward would be replaced shortly after.
Zoua hits the bar minutes after coming on
As the game ticked into the final 15 minutes, debutant Jacques Zoua made an impact after being subbed on for the hosts just minutes earlier, an effort clipping the bar after he swivelled on the turn.
It looked like some individual inspiration from Bebou was going to win it in the last few minutes, as he sprinted from one end to the other, beating players with trickery before teeing up Bellinghausen, only for the winger to have his shot blocked.