BERLIN, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Bayer Leverkusen secured a hard-earned 2-1 victory over stubborn Heidenheim thanks to Amine Adli's late goal in the 22nd round on Saturday.

The win extended the current league leaders' unbeaten run to 32 games.

The Werkself assumed control from the starting whistle but couldn't pose any damage to Heidenheim's well-positioned defense.

Goal scoring opportunities remained at premium in the first half as Jeremie Frimpong missed a cross with ten minutes gone, and Heidenheim's Tim Kleindienst pulled wide from promising position in the 36th minute.

Leverkusen broke the deadlock in the injury time of the first half, after Adli's square pass allowed Frimpong to tap home the opener with a one-timer from inside the box.

Heidenheim grew into the encounter after the restart and came close in the 70th minute when Benedikt Gimber forced Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky into action from tight angle.

Leverkusen increased the pressure in the closing stages as Florian Wirtz rattled the woodwork in the 77th minute before his through ball found Adli, who poked home from seven meters to make the 2-0 lead.

Heidenheim got a reward for their efforts in the 81st minute when Kleindienst headed home a free kick cross to halve the deficit.

With the result, Xabi Alonso's men established an eight-point advantage atop the standings while Heidenheim slip to the 10th spot.

"It is a very important victory for us. Winning here is not easy, but the team played very serious. I am happy with the performance and the result," said Alonso.

Elsewhere, third-placed Stuttgart secured its second straight victory after overpowering last-placed Darmstadt 2-1.

Dortmund suffered a setback in the hunt for a top four finish as Edin Terzic's boys were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Wolfsburg.

Relegation threatened Mainz returned to winning ways after beating Augsburg by courtesy on Sepp van den Berg's sole goal.

Union Berlin stunned Hoffenheim 1-0 to wrap vital points in the relegation battle, and Leipzig move 2-0 past harmless Borussia Monchengladbach.

On Friday, Werder Bremen edged Cologne 1-0 to increase the relegation worries of the Billy Goats. Enditem

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