Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich twice had to come from behind to draw 2-2 against lowly Mainz to give second-placed RB Leipzig the smallest glimmer of hope.
The defending champions extended their advantage to nine points but, with their nearest rivals having a match in hand - and five games still to play, the mathematical possibility of catching them has improved slightly.
Arjen Robben and Thiago Alcantara equalised on-loan Bojan Krkic's second-minute opener and then Daniel Brosinski's penalty just before the break.
Krkic's goal came from the visitors' first attempt to stun their hosts and Levin Oztunali had two opportunities in the 15th minute to score a second, being denied by Sven Ulreich on the first occasion and narrowly missing the target on the next.
Mainz were immediately punished as Bayern countered and Franck Ribery set up Robben to fire home left-footed.
Robert Lewandowski, Robben and Thomas Muller all had chances to put the hosts in front before, five minutes from the interval, substitute Joshua Kimmich, on as replacement for the injured David Alaba, fouled Yoshinori Muto.
Brosinski converted from the spot to give Mainz a lead but as soon as the second half kicked off they found themselves under huge pressure with Alcantara, Robben, Kingsley Coman, Lewandowski and Kimmich all being denied an equaliser.
However, Mainz, who began the day above the relegation zone on goal difference only, finally cracked 17 minutes from time when Alcantara found the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Robben, Muller and Xabi Alonso all could have snatched it late on but Mainz held on for a valuable point to offer some encouragement to Leipzig.
ends