BERLIN, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Second division side Heidenheim came from behind and eliminated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the last 16 of the German Cup on Tuesday.
Bayer Leverkusen assumed control from the kick off and pressed the lower league side into the defense. However, the "Werkself" lacked in penetration and were unable to turn their possession into a tangible reward.
The hosts meanwhile ensured the first chance of the encounter as Arne Feick forced Leverkusen's Lukas Hradecky into action with 36 minutes played.
Leverkusen responded only two minutes later as Julian Brandt's effort rattled the left post. The attacking midfielder remained in the thick of things as he broke the deadlock just before the break after slotting home a through ball from sharp angle in the 44th minute.
Heidenheim remained unimpressed and restored parity moments after the restart as Nikola Dovedan capitalized on a pass into path to beat Leverkusen goalkeeper Hradecky in the 47th minute.
The hosts should have grabbed the lead but Maurice Multhaup rattled only the woodwork from very close range with 52 minutes played.
Heidenheim gained momentum and turned the tides in the 72nd minute when Maurice Multhaup tapped home a free kick cross from Arne Feick to make it 2-1 on the scoreboards.
Leverkusen tried to fight back but all their efforts remained fruitless as Heidenheim staged a well-positioned defense.
Elsewhere, Werder Bremen upset Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund after fighting back twice in overtime to force the "BVB" into the penalty shoot-out following a 3-3. Bremen's goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka parried the shots from Maximilian Philipp and Paco Alcacer and sealed Dortmund's last-16 exit.
Second division side Hamburg overcame Nuremberg and progressed into the next round on the sole goal from Berkay Oezcan and Paderborn bounced back from one goal down and eliminated Duisburg with three second-half goals.
The following last 16 fixtures are scheduled for Wednesday: Leipzig host Wolfsburg, second division team Holstein Kiel see Augsburg, Schalke encounter Fortuna Dusseldorf and Hertha Berlin face Bayern Munich.
