Moenchengladbach, Germany - Struggling Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach missed out on an opportunity to escape the relegation zone on Friday as they lost 1-0 at home to VfL Bochum.

Against the run of play the visitors took the lead in the 29th minute when striker Diego Klimowicz played the ball across the area to Dennis Grote and the midfielder's powerful strike from 20 metres gave goalkeeper Logan Bailly no chance.

After going a goal behind, Gladbach continued piling on the pressure, but good defensive play by the Bochum backline prevented them from finding the back of the net.

The second half continued very much like the first, with Gladbach pushing forward without creating any real chances though.

The home side nearly snatched a dramatic equalizer in the last minute as Rob Friend saw his shot well saved by goalkeeper Daniel Marcio Fernandes and from the resultant corner Shinji Ono cleared a Roberto Colautti header off the line.

The result keeps Gladbach in 16th place on 22 points, while Bochum, for whom the victory was their first away win of the season, move two places to 13th.

Table toppers Hertha Berlin are away to VfB Stutgart on Saturday, defending a four point lead from Bayern Munich (at home to Karlsruhe), VfL Wolfsburg (away to Arminia Bielefeld) and SV Hamburg (away to Schalke 04). (dpa)