Berlin: Crisis club Cologne conceded a stoppage time goal to slip to a controversial 2-1 defeat at promoted VfB Stuttgart on Friday, leaving them with just one point from eight games at the bottom of the German football Bundesliga.
Chadrac Ababa struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time for Stuttgart after dribbling into the area before his shot was deflected over the line by Tim Handwerker.
The goal came just minutes after Cologne had been awarded a penalty, only for the decision to be rescinded following a lengthy video review in a dramatic finale.
Greece striker Anastasios Donis had opened the scoring for Stuttgart before Dominique Heintz curled in an equalizer for Cologne from the edge of the area in the 77th.
Stuttgart remain unbeaten at home this season and climb to a midtable place on 10 points before the weekend programme. Cologne are three points off Werder Bremen at the bottom and six adrift of five clubs on seven points, having now played an extra game.
Donis netted in the 38th minute when he kept his balance in the area after a push from Frederik Soerensen — who has already been given a yellow card — to prod the ball past Timo Horn in goal.
The goal came after a flurry of chances for Stuttgart, with Donis shooting wide from a good position, Holger Badstuber heading wide and Donis having a close-range shot saved by Horn.
Cologne coach Peter Stoeger sent on Claudio Pizarro in the second half and the veteran striker had a header wide before Heintz levelled with a measured left-foot shot into the top of the net.
It was the first goal on the road this season for Cologne who have now gone 12 away games including last season without a win.
But they were left to rue a decision which went against them when referee Benjamin Cortus pointed to the penalty spot for a foul on substitute Sehrou Guirassy
Cortus consulted the video assistant referee amid heated prop tests from players from both sides and also studied a monitor on the touchline before deciding the evidence of a foul was inconclusive,play then continuing with a drop ball.
— dpa
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