When it comes to analysing at the end of the season why the U23s didn't finish in top spot this term, there will be those who point to what happened in deepest East Westphalia on Matchday 28. Because after being held to a 1-1 (0-0) draw away to SV Rödinghausen on Maundy Thursday, it seems highly likely that the BVB reserves will still be playing Regional League football next season.

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Daniel Farke and his side were left disappointed.

In the table the Black and Yellows now find themselves seven points behind top-of-the-table Viktoria Köln, who strolled to a 5-0 victory at home to Sportfreunde Siegen.

"It was an extremely intensive match," said coach Daniel Farke after seeing his side draw for the 11th time this term. David Sauerland spurned the visitors' best opportunity of the first period after 20 minutes when he failed to beat Rödinghausen shot-stopper Tim Paterok in a one-on-one, before Hamadi Al Ghaddioui missed the follow-up. BVB II were then stunned midway through the second period in front of 2,100 spectators at the Häcker-Wiehenstadion, Tobias Steffen surfacing unmarked in front of goal to put the hosts ahead with their only good chance of the match in the 69th minute.

"After that we threw absolutely everything forward," said Farke, who subsequently made three changes as Massih Wassey, Herbert Bockhorn and Atakan Karazor were introduced for the closing stages. Bockhorn made an immediate impact when his ball into the box was steered into his own by Stefan Langemann in the 78th minute.

The equaliser set the game up for a frantic final phase but there were to be no further goals. "In the end it was an open exchange," acknowledged Farke. "We really wanted to win but things just aren't quite working out for us at the moment. Ultimately we'll have to settle for the point, but obviously we're well aware of the situation we're in. We're disappointed, that goes without saying."

BVB: Reimann – Camoglu, Zimmermann, Mainka, Schumacher (Wassey, 77) – Fritz – Hober (Bockhorn, 77), Sauerland, Eberwein, Arweiler (Karazor, 82) – Al Ghaddioui
Goals: 1-0 Steffen (69), 1-1 Langemann own goal (78)
Tobias Jöhren