LEVERKUSEN, Dec 8 (SW) - Marko Babic scored 10 minutes from time to lift Bayer Leverkusen to a 2-1 win over Hertha Berlin, denying the capital city side a chance to gain ground on the top four in the Bundesliga.

The visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute when Marko Pantelic blasted a shot past Hans-Jörg Butt, but Paul Freier pulled Leverkusen level just 10 minutes later to swing momentum in favor of the hosts.

The second-half was a back-and-forth affair much of the way until Babic struck the winner in the 80th minute and Hertha's hopes were dashed when Sofian Chahed was sent off two minutes from the end.

With the win, Leverkusen temporarily jumped up to sixth place in the table on 22 points.