Arminia Bielefeld and Stuttgart shared four goals in the Schuco Arena, with Vlad Munteanu grabbing the last of them with 21 minutes to play.

Matthieu Delpierre put the visitors in the lead after just four minutes before Christopher Katongo pulled one back on the half-hour mark.

Thomas Hitzlsperger restored the lead just five minutes later but second-half substitute Munteanu struck from the spot in the 69th to earn the hosts a precious point in the relegation race.

Stuttgart, who moved up to the third spot, could not have hoped for a better start. Hitzlsperger found Khalid Boulahrouz with his right-wing corner, with the Dutchman heading against the post, where Delpierre was first to react and nod over the line.

Arminia controlled the pace in the following stages and their dominance almost paid in the 18th minute when Katango dribbled the ball into the box for a one-on-one with Jens Lehmann.

He rounded the former Germany keeper - only to have his effort blocked before it crossed the line.

After Lehmann denied Daniel Halfar from a sharp angle, an error from Delpierre brought about Bielefeld4s equaliser. Delpierre failed to clear a harmless cross, with Robert Tesche finding Katongo in the centre. The Zambia international volleyed the ball home from 10 yards.

Arminia almost grabbed the lead only moments later but Halfar dragged his 18-yarder inches past the post. Stuttgart regained composure quickly as Mario Gomez passed to Hitzlsperger, who was left with time and space to fire home from 25 yards.

Stuttgart almost grabbed a third goal seconds later when a dangerous cross from Katongo was cleared.

Hitzlsperger then sent Gomez clear but the Germany international missed the target by a matter of centimetres.

Eilhoff kept Bielefeld in the game with a strong save from Samuel Khedira early in the second period, and the hosts shifted up a gear.

Their crosses created little danger, though, and Gomez again wasted a golden chance in the 65th minute when he missed from a sharp angle.

Hitzlsperger then brought down Thorben Marx in the box, and substitute Munteanu converted from the spot to level after 69 minutes.

Stuttgart almost took home maximum points when Ciprian Marica created an opening for Gomez but the star striker hit the post as the two sides settled for a well-deserved draw.