BERLIN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich squandered the chance to extend its lead at the top of the Bundesliga as it was held to a 2-2 home draw by bottom side Mainz on Sunday.
The league leader dominated possession from the outset but struggled to turn control into clear chances. After early attempts by Lennart Karl and Harry Kane, Bayern took the lead in the 29th minute. Michael Olise initiated the move, Kane drove a low ball across goal and Karl arrived unmarked to finish from close range.
Mainz, playing its first match under coach Urs Fischer, remained dangerous from set pieces. Its persistence was rewarded just before the break when William Boving's curling free kick was met by Kacper Potulski, who headed past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to equalize in stoppage time.
Serge Gnabry wasted a clear chance on the hour, and the hosts were punished moments later. Stefan Bell clipped a long pass into the area and Lee Jae-sung headed home to put Mainz ahead in the 67th minute.
Bayern responded by increasing the tempo and committing more players forward, but was repeatedly frustrated by Mainz goalkeeper Daniel Batz.
Relief finally arrived when Potulski was penalized for pulling Kane in the box, and the England striker converted the resulting penalty in the 87th minute for his 18th league goal of the season.
The draw leaves the defending champions on top with 38 points from 14 matches, nine points clear of second-placed RB Leipzig, while Mainz remains bottom on seven points.
"We dominated the first half and had enough chances, but conceding before the break changed the momentum," said Kane. "A home draw is always disappointing."
"Taking a point in Munich is positive, even if the late penalty is frustrating," said Fischer.
Elsewhere, third-placed Borussia Dortmund was held to a 1-1 draw by Freiburg, while Stuttgart eased past 10-man Werder Bremen 4-0. ■
