Borussia Dortmund frustrated in drab goalless draw with Cologne

Borussia Dortmund were held to a second successive goalless draw as their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season receded.

Dortmund did have the ball in the back of the Cologne net once, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's effort was correctly ruled out for handball.

Cologne defended resolutely, and having been frustrated in Hamburg a week ago -- a result that followed four successive wins -- Dortmund might well have expected similar treatment from the Goats.

They would have been surprised, though, as Cologne had two big chances to take an early lead.

Deyverson had only Roman Weidenfeller to beat in the second minute, but his attempted lob missed the target.

Minutes later, Anthony Ujah was next to come face-to-face with the Dortmund custodian, but again the chance went begging.

Having come out of the blocks quickly, Cologne then retreated and began playing more defensively - but Dortmund could not make their possession count.

Aubameyang turned the ball into the net from Kevin Kampl's cross, but did not celebrate as he knew he had used his hand, and was booked.

From a late Marco Reus free-kick, Mats Hummels was unable to get enough contact on the ball to cause Timo Horn any problems.