Defending champions Bayern Munich managed to secure a 1-1 draw at home to Schalke 04 despite having played over 70 minutes of the match with just 10 men after Jerome Boateng was sent off on Tuesday.

While Bayern have failed to win their two games since the return to action after the winter break they maintained their eight point lead at the top of the table.

Second-placed VfL Wolfsburg -- who inflicted the leaders first league defeat of the season last Friday -- had to come from behind to draw 1-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern had Boateng dismissed with just 17 minutes gone at the Allianz Arena for a foul on Schalke's Sidney Sam, but Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer easily saved the resulting penalty.

Arjen Robben's second-half header gave Bayern the lead before Schalke captain Benedikt Hoewedes equalised five minutes later.

Schalke had personnel problems of their own as Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, last season's league top scorer, is suspended while injury meant the Royal Blues played their third-choice goalkeeper for the second half.

Bayern suffered an early set back as centre-back Boateng was shown a straight red for bringing down Sam.

It was the first penalty Bayern have conceded at home in the league all season, but Neuer easily stopped Eric Choupo-Moting's weak effort.

Schalke gave 19-year-old goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther his debut for the second-half after Fabian Giefer, who had replaced first-choice Ralf Faehrmann, was unable to come back out as he had suffered a thigh injury.

The teenager made a key save to deny Robben early in the second-half, but Schalke fell behind soon afterwards.

Xabi Alonso's corner found Robben unmarked and he headed home on 67 minutes.

The lead lasted five minutes as Bayern made the same mistake to leave Schalke skipper Hoewedes free to power home a header to level the scores.

Wolfsburg needed a late goal from Belgian international Kevin de Bruyne to rescue a point.

Wolves opted to leave Andre Schuerrle out of the matchday squad having signed the Germany winger for a club record 32 million euros ($36million, £24million) from Chelsea on Monday.

The visitors were brought back down to earth after beating Bayern as Frankfurt's Stefan Aigner put the hosts ahead in the 58th minute and nearly added a second soon after.

But De Bruyne, who scored twice in the 4-1 romp over Bayern, underlined his stellar season by scoring two minutes fron time to leave him with six goals and 11 assists this season.

Borussia Moenchengladbach consolidated third place with a 1-0 win at home to Freiburg, Patrick Herrmann scoring his second goal in as many games.

Wednesday's action will see ailing giants Borussia Dortmund, presently bottom of the table, bid to claim three much-needed points when they host fifth-placed Augsburg.