Wolfsburg failed to capitalise on another slip-up by Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich as they collected only a point from their trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Kevin De Bruyne saved the Wolves from defeat late on, but, with Bayern being held at home to Schalke, the Wolves will be kicking themselves for failing to reduce the deficit at the top of the Bundesliga to six points.
For Frankfurt, Stefan Aigner's goal was enough to earn them their first point of the new year in this 1-1 draw. Buoyed by becoming the first team all season to beat Bayern, and after having done so in style with a 4-1 win on Friday night, Wolfsburg knew the real test was to confirm that result in Frankfurt.
And Frankfurt soon made sure they were aware that they would need an equally good performance to last Friday if they were to come away with maximum points, going close twice to opening the scoring early on through Alexander Meier and Takashi Inui.
Wolfsburg hit back with Bas Dost, who passed a late fitness test, and Ivan Perisic, who had also been a doubt, going close in an entertaining game with both sides attacking.
De Bruyne could and perhaps should have given the visitors the lead 10 minutes into the second half, and they were punished soon after when Aigner found the far corner.
Frankfurt had good chances to increase their lead, but, as the game entered its closing stages, the Wolves roared into life. It was not until the 88th minute, however, that they got their equalizer with De Bruyne adding to his two goals against Bayern to underline his goalscoring qualities.
It was nevertheless a chance wasted for Wolfsburg, who remain eight points adrift of the league leaders.
Third-placed Borussia Monchengladbach gained some ground with a 1-0 win over Freiburg at Borussia-Park.
Patrick Herrmann claimed the only goal of the game after 23 minutes, volleying in after Fabian Johnson failed to connect with a cross from a Branimir Hrgota cross. Freiburg went on to dominate possession and create the greater number of chances but could not find a way past Yann Sommer.
Hannover and Mainz played out a 1-1 draw in the night's other clash at the AWD Arena.
Jimmy Briand opened the scoring for Hannover following a corner in the 26th minute. Elkin Soto leveled 13 minutes from time moments after Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler had saved from Daniel Brosinski.
