Shapourzadeh's future in doubt with Hansa's Relegation

Hansa Rostock 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen grabbed a 2-0 advantage with two goals from the penalty spot either side of the break by Simon Rolfes (40) and Gonzalo Castro (58).

Rostock pulled a goal back in the 67th minute through Addy-Waku Menga, before the visitors went a man down seven minutes from time with Jens Hegeler picking up his second warning of the game.

But the home side could not take advantage of the dismissal and their eighth loss in nine Bundesliga matches confirmed their relegation.

Leverkusen ended a four-game losing streak to move on to 51 points and fourth place.

The win means they remain in the race for one of the two UEFA Cup spots, which will now be decided in the final round of fixtures next weekend with four teams locked on 51 points.

The first chance of the game went to Leverkusen but Rostock goalkeeper Jorg Hahnel saved a powerful shot from Tranquillo Barnetta in the ninth minute after a mistake on a back pass.

Neither team were able to create many more chances until Leverkusen were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute.

Arturo Vidal was felled by Assani Lukimya before captain Rolfes stepped up to the spot and hammered his left-footer into the bottom right corner.

A second Leverkusen penalty followed in the 58th minute after Hahnel fouled Dmitriy Bulykin. This time Castro stepped up to take the kick, placing his shot into the opposite corner.

Rostock pushed forward and pulled one back with a little over 20 minutes to play when Menga tucked his shot from the right wing into the top left corner.

The visitors then found themselves down to 10 men with seven minutes remaining as Hegeler was shown his second yellow card of the game.

But Rostock were unable to pull out the equaliser and remain at the bottom of the Bundesliga.