BAYERN LET IN BY SCHALKE SLIP

Munich are now three points clear of their nearest rivals and only need one point in their last game of season away at Hamburg to win the league again.

However, things had looked to be going in Schalke`s favour until the last minute after the afternoon`s play.

Bayern were drawing 1-1 with Kaiserslautern at the Olympic Stadium, whilst Schalke were being held to a goalless draw at Stuttgart.

Then the Champions League finalists snatched all three points when Alexander Zickler (pictured) smashed a last minute winner, just seconds after coming on as substitute. It capped a remarkable comeback by Ottmar Hitzfeld`s men who had gone a goal down after five minutes when Czech ace Vratislav Lokvenc put Kaiserslautern in front.

Carsten Jancker put the home side level just before the hour mark, before Zickler sent the home fans into raptures.

Their joy was doubled at almost the same time as news came through from the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium that Bulgarian Krasimir Balakov had defeated Schalke with a last minute goal for Stuttgart.

Borussia Dortmund almost certainly secured third place with a 4-1 win at relegation threatened Unterhaching.

Otto Addo grabbed a brace (4, 58) to put Mattias Sammer`s side 2-0 up, but the home side were giving some slight hope when Alexander Strehmel replied after 66 minutes.

There hopes were short-lived though as German international Lars Ricken extended the lead before Brazilian Dede completed the scoring in the last minute.

Hertha Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen let Dortmund move three points clear in third, after they drew 1-1 at the Olympiastadion in the capital.

Berlin had opened the scoring after 21 minutes through German international Sebastian Deisler, but Leverkusen made sure they stayed a point above Hertha after Oliver Neuville smashed a 62nd minute equaliser.

Energie Cottbus grabbed a lifeline and took advantage of Unterhaching`s defeat with a 4-2 win against Hamburg at the Stadion der Freundschaft.

Faruk Hujdurovic gave the home side the lead after just 60 seconds and they doubled their lead after 23 minutes when Antun Labak found the net.

Sergez Barbarez then gave some slight hope to Hamburg with a 40th minute strike, but Vasile Miriuta converted a penalty after 51 minutes to almost seal three points.

Barbarez then struck his second five minutes later, but Energie produced some much needed resilience and Franklin put the game beyond Hamburg with a goal just after the hour mark.

Eintracht Frankfurt`s fight to stay in the top-flight came to an end with a 3-0 defeat at Wolfsburg.

Goals from Dorinel Munteanu (12), Frank Greiner (16), and Dietmar Kuenbauer (31 pen), coupled with Cottbus` shock victory against Hamburg means Frankfurt are relegated.

Freiburg kept up their hopes of European qualification alive with a 3-1 victory at relegated Bochum.

Ibrahim Tanko gave Freiburg the lead after 33 minutes and Adel Sellimi doubled their advantage just after half time.

Bochum pulled one back through Marijo Maric from the penalty spot after 54 minutes, but there chances of a unlikely comeback were dented when Sergej Mandreko was dismissed. Freiburg sealed the win with a last minute strike from Sellimi.

Werder Bremen are still looking for a Uefa Cup slot and a 3-1 win at Cologne aided their efforts.

The much sought-after Claudio Pizarro put Bremen in front after 14 minutes, but Cologne levelled just six minutes later through Georgian Archil Arveladze.

Brazilian Ailton was the hero for Werder, though, as he hit two goals in four minutes (70, 74) to secure all three points.

The other game saw Hansa Rostock held to a goalless at home to TSV 1860 Munich.