Playoff battle

Belgian striker Igor de Camargo scored in the third minute of injury time to give Borussia Mönchengladbach a slender lead to take into the away leg of their relegation-promotion tie against Bochum.

De Camargo volleyed high into the net with the last kick of the game as the referee controversially allowed play to continue beyond the initial added time of two minutes.

Just over 54,000 spectators were present at a sold-out Gladbach ground to witness a fast-paced game, doggedly contested by both sides.

While a gap in class was not evident, Borussia had the best chances but were unable to make the breakthrough until the very end.

Late whistle, frayed tempers

Although only two minutes of extra time were due to be played, around two minutes and 40 seconds had been played when 'Gladbach took the throw-in that led to the goal, causing consternation in the Bochum camp.

'Gladbach, 16th in the Bundesliga, and Bochum, third in the second division, play the second leg next Wednesday in Bochum, with the aggregate winner set to play in German soccer's top tier next season.

Five-time champions 'Gladbach, who dominated German football in the early 1970s, had appeared destined for relegation when they lay bottom of the top division with just four games remaining. Three wins and a draw in their final matches meant that they avoided a place in the bottom two, with St. Pauli and Eintracht Frankfurt relegated instead.

Author: Richard Connor (AFP, AP, Reuters)
Editor: Ian Johnson