Berlin, Feb 19, 2023 (AFP) - US international Jordan Pefok missed a chance to snatch a late winner and send Union Berlin top of the Bundesliga on Sunday, as the capital high-fliers were held to a 0-0 draw at bottom club Schalke.
Pefok skied a tough chance high over the bar from close range on 81 minutes as Union missed the opportunity to leapfrog league leaders Bayern Munich into first.
Schalke have now battled to a league record four goalless draws in a row, and they frustrated Union with another dogged performance on Sunday.
In a torturous first half for spectators, the only moment of relief came when Schalke keeper Ralf Faehrmann pulled off a brilliant reflex save to deny Danilho Doekhi.
Schalke looked the more dangerous side in the second half, with Union appearing to be running on empty after their Europa League draw with Ajax last Thursday.
Jordan's late miss was the home side's best chance as they toiled after the break, and tempers flared late on after a clash of heads in the Schalke box.
Yet Union remain in the title race -- now sitting level on points with Bayern ahead of their clash with the reigning champions in Munich next weekend.
Schalke, meanwhile, are still six points adrift of safety, having not won in the league since last November.
