Gregg Berhalter scored Cottbus' biggest goal of the season when he converted from the spot in the 86th minute to secure an important draw against Greuther Fürth to all but guarantee promotion to the 1. Bundesliga.

Fürth jumped out on top after 30 minutes when André Mijatovic scored on a far post header, after having beaten Keven McKenna.

Despite being outplayed for much of the evening, Cottbus continued to push forward as the game dwindled down before the American grabbed the late equalizer for the easterners.

Thomas Kleine, was perhaps unfairly adjudged to have tripped up Kenan Sahin in the area, leaving the pressure situation in the hands of the visitor's captain. Berhalter made no mistake, however, and confidently drilled the ball into the bottom right corner.

With the draw, Cottbus remain six points ahead of Fürth for the last promotion spot with only three games left in the season - and have a superior goal advantage of nine.

Next Wednesday, Cottbus host Dynamo Dresden and finish the season against Kickers Offenbach on the road and 1860 Munich at home.