Paderborn snatches 1-1 draw with hannover, tops 2nd bundesliga

Paderborn 07's Felix Götze scored in the 40th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, but Hannover 96's Benjamin Källman equalized in the 78th to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Paderborn misses chance to extend win streak, remains atop 2nd bundesliga

The result means Paderborn will have to wait at least another night to celebrate their fourth consecutive win. The three-point cushion over third-place Elversberg remains intact for now.

Hannover, riding high after a 2-0 win in Darmstadt last week, slips to fourth place, four points adrift of the summit.

The 1,300th anniversary celebrations for Hannover were marked with a special one-off kit, while the home fans put on a stunning pre-match choreography to create an electric atmosphere.

Early chances fell the hosts' way, with Waniss Taibi's 18th-minute shot hitting the post, only for Götze to clear the danger. Noll then made a crucial block from Yokota's header, before Paderborn's Marino fired just wide after the restart.

In a defensive duel, Paderborn's keeper Noll made a string of vital saves, while Hannover's Taibi and Källman both had efforts blocked by the visitors' backline.

With four crucial games remaining, including matches against direct rivals Schalke, Elversberg and Darmstadt, Paderborn knows every point will be crucial in their quest for promotion.