Hertha Berlin coach Friedhelm Funkel hopes luck is starting to turn their way after last night's 2-2 draw over Bayer Leverkusen.

Berlin seemed to be heading for their 13th defeat of the season when Burak Kaplan put Leverkusen 2-1 up going into stoppage time, but Adrian Ramos equalised with almost the final touch of the game to earn a point.

"I hope that we have managed to win back a bit of fortune with that deserved equaliser in the 92nd minute," said Funkel.

"We need it if we want to start our recovery in January."

Berlin still lie six points adrift at the bottom of the table with one game remaining before the midway stage of the season is reached.

Leverkusen extended their lead at the top of the table to four points and their coach Jupp Heynckes had no complaints about dropping two points at the death.

"Hertha deserved the draw with their 92nd-minute equaliser," he said.

"The game shows that it is not easy when you are the leaders playing against the bottom club."

Berlin require a similar result against Sporting Lisbon in midweek to secure their passage to the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League before ending the year with a trip to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

Leverkusen's final task of 2009 comes against Borussia Monchengladbach next Saturday when a win would clinch the unofficial title of autumn champions.