Borussia Dortmund II had to settle for a 1-1 (0-0) draw with RW Essen in the Regional League West on Saturday. A victory would have seen the Black and Yellows gain further ground on league leaders Viktoria Köln, who were condemned to a 2-0 defeat away at regional rivals 1. FC Köln II. Daniel Farke's charges now trail the men from the Cathedral City by five, rather than six, points.

Elsewhere, Borussia Mönchengladbach II claimed a 3-1 win in Sprockhövel, a result which moved the Foals back above the Black and Yellows and into second place on goals scored, for the time being. 

"We were lacking the edge you need to create chances. We need to accept responsibility for that," said goalscorer Michael Eberwein. Coach Daniel Farke explained: "I'm very satisfied with the performance but I'm disappointed that we only picked up a point. We were lacking quality in the final third of the pitch."

The 1,729 spectators at the Rote Erde Stadion witnessed few incidents of note in the opening 45 minutes. Essen's Marcel Platzek twice found himself in promising positions in front of Dominik Reimann's goal in the opening two minutes, while Marco Hober missed Dortmund's best chance following a one-two with Michael Eberwein in the 13th minute.

The Black and Yellows were dealt a setback when Massih Wassey was substituted off with adductor problems after just 21 minutes. He was replaced by Jonas Arweiler, whose place in the starting XI had been taken by David Sauerland.

The hosts made life difficult for themselves early on in the second period by gifting Essen's Hontcheu Ngankam the easiest of tap-ins at the far post following a rather harmless-looking cross in the 52nd minute. BVB continued to dominate thereafter, but rarely got into dangerous positions in front of their opponent's goal.

It was a foul by Timo Becker on Arweiler in the Essen penalty area in the 68th minute that brought Dortmund back on level terms, with Michael Eberwein converting the ensuing spot-kick. The home side pushed for a winner in the closing stages but were lacking ideas. "The attitude was right, I've just congratulated my players on a very good performance. We'll have to settle for the 1-1 draw," said Farke.

The U23s are next in action on Thursday (19:30 CET), when they travel away to SV Rödinghausen, before playing their game in hand with RW Oberhausen the following Wednesday (18 April, 19:30 CET).

BVB II: Reimann - Camoglu, Zimmermann, Mainka, Schumacher - Karazor - Wassey (Arweiler, 21), Hober (Fritz, 75), Sauerland, Eberwein - Al Ghaddioui
Goals: 0-1 Ngankam (52), 1-1 Eberwein (penalty, 68)
Attendance: 1,729
Florian Groeger