SC Paderborn 07 0 - 0 Hoffenheim : Paderborn held by Hoffenheim

Posted Sunday, March 22, 2015 by PA

Paderborn slipped into the bottom two of the Bundesliga after being held to a goalless draw at home by 10-man Hoffenheim on Saturday.

After surviving a strong Hoffenheim assault in the first half, Paderborn searched for a winner in the second 45 minutes, but found visiting goalkeeper Oliver Baumann in fine form.

Not even after Ermin Bicakcic was shown a red card in the 65th minute could Paderborn find a winner as their hopes of avoiding the drop suffered a setback.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to move into the top six, but will nevertheless be pleased with a point in the circumstances.

Paderborn started confidently, but ebbed away as the first half progressed and Hoffenheim started to show more attacking intent with Sven Schipplock going the closest for them.

Bicakcic picked up two yellow cards in 10 minutes to give Paderborn hope heading into the final quarter of the game, when Baumann came into his own to save Hoffenheim a point.

First he kept out an effort from Alban Meha before denying Srdjan Lakic with two clear opportunities for the hosts.

Meha was thwarted yet again by the Hoffenheim custodian heading into the final 10 minutes of the game before he watched on with relief as the Albanian's stoppage-time free-kick whizzed wide of his post.

Baumann had also made saves from Patrick Ziegler and Suleyman Koc as Paderborn sought what would have been a first win in five attempts, but it was not to be.

Andre Breitenreiter's men now find themselves just a point off the foot of the table, but at the same time only a point adrift of safety.