Hoffenheim came from behind to earn a draw at the RheinEnergieStadion but are now without a Bundesliga win in three games.

Cologne dominated the first half but had only Lukas Podolski's fine goal to show for their efforts.

And the visitors, after two half-time substitutions, emerged looking a different team and deservedly levelled through Demba Ba.

Cologne's Martin Lanig had an early opportunity as he ran on to the ball in the box at the end of a good move involving Miso Brecko and Podolski. The midfielder was played onside by Isaac Vorsah but the dozing Ghana defender's blushes were spared as goalkeeper Tom Starke stood up well to save.

Hoffenheim's first sight of goal saw Sebastian Rudy's drive curl wide and Sejad Salihovic then fired over from long range - but it was Cologne who found the net in the 17th minute through Podolski.

Mato Jajalo threaded a pass between Andreas Beck and Josip Simunic and the Germany forward hit an immediate and powerful left-footed drive through the grasp of the diving Starke.

Adam Matuschyk's mis-hit through-ball almost put Podolski in for a second goal soon afterwards, but Starke gathered.

Starke held Matuschyk's low drive before Hoffenheim had a lucky escape. Jajalo's cross was deflected by Simunic and struck the near post and Starke's elbow before Christian Eichner cleared.

Hoffenheim introduced Peniel Kokou Mlapa and Gylfi Sigurdsson for Simunic and Tobias Weis at half-time and began the second period more promisingly as Ba was denied by Pedro Geromel's superb saving challenge, having miscontrolled to end another promising attack.

Salihovic's low drive was fumbled by Faryd Mondragon and the visitors then levelled in the 54th minute as Ba turned inside Geromel on the left of the penalty area and curled beyond Mondragon.

And it should have been 2-1 as Vedad Ibisevic did well to keep an attack alive and find Ba, but then sidefooted his strike partner's cross straight at Mondragon.

Petit headed narrowly across goal from Jajalo's corner before Cologne captain Youssef Mohamad somehow failed to turn in Podolski's dangerous free-kick at the back post.

Mlapa's pace created an opportunity for Hoffenheim, but Ba delayed his shot too long and allowed Mohamad to block, and Ibisevic's superb header from Sigurdsson's corner was saved.

Petit and Jajalo threatened from distance and Matuschyk headed Taner Yalcin's free-kick wide as Cologne searched in vain for a late winner.