Cologne slowed down Werder Bremen's attacking play to earn a point while Bremen missed a chance to close in on the leaders.

Cologne had the better of the chances despite having the worst goal-scoring record in the league.

Werder came into the game with 12 goals in their last three contests but could only draw in Cologne to move to 28 points in second place - three points behind Bayer Leverkusen.

Thomas Schaaf's Bremen did extend their unbeaten streak to 23 games.

Cologne, who have scored just one goal in their last six games, improved to 14 points for 14th place - two points from the relegation zone.

Cologne had a great chance after 14 minutes but Milivoje Novakovic somehow shot wide with a right-foot volley from four yards after a superb cross by Lukas Podolksi.

Bremen were close to grabbing the lead five minutes later but Per Mertesacker headed a corner just over the bar from six yards.

Cologne were lucky to not have gone a man down after 28 minutes as Youssef Mohamed clearly held Marko Marin as last defender.

A Marin free-kick from the left edge of the area four minutes later was headed just over the crossbar by Adil Chihi.

And Cologne keeper Thomas Kessler, in for Faryd Mondragon, did a good job getting down on Hugo Almeida's low free-kick from 19 yards two minutes before the break.

Novakovic had another top chance nine minutes after intermission as Maniche fed a running Novakovic who tried a first-time shot past Sebastian Mielitz but the Bundesliga debutant got his foot to the ball.