Leaders Dortmund stumble in title race with 1-1 draw at Bochum

BOCHUM, Germany :Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund's title chances suffered a serious blow on Friday after they stumbled to a 1-1 draw at struggling VfL Bochum in the mini Ruhr derby.

With four games left to play, Dortmund are on 61 points, two points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich, who will take over the lead if they beat bottom club Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

Dortmund looked far from serious contenders, chasing their first Bundesliga title in 11 years, struggling to break down a solid Bochum defence.

They also were left fuming with the referee and VAR following two claims for penalties late in the game.

"It is very bitter for us. It was an intense game but we had our chances," said Dortmund coach Edin Terzic.

"I am sorry for my tone and my emotions but I said it last week that for us and also for me this is maybe the only chance in our lives to get so close to the title."

"Then you have such decisions when so much is at stake. The only thing I asked the referees was to look at it again."

The visitors found themselves 1-0 down after five minutes following Anthony Losilla's thunderous strike from just outside the box.

Yet Bochum's joy only lasted two minutes as unmarked Karim Adeyemi tapped in at the far post for the equaliser.

But the goal failed to inject any sense of urgency into Dortmund's game, with Terzic desperately shouting on from the sidelines.

They thought they had earned a spot kick when Adeyemi was brought down in the box in the 65th minute but the referee waved play on.

Their best chances in the second half came after the introduction of Marco Reus in the 73rd minute, with the midfielder setting up Youssoufa Moukoko, but his effort was parried by Bochum keeper Manuel Riemann.

Riemann pulled off an even better