Bayer Leverkusen 1 Borussia Monchengladbach 0

Michael Skibbe's Leverkusen are now fifth in the standings on 39 points after improving their run to just one defeat in six games.

Gladbach remain bottom of the pile with 24 points - five adrift of safety.

Jos Luhukay's team has suffered a horrible time of it on the road this season, having collected just four points from 14 away days.

Leverkusen had the best chance of the first half with Voronin's effort from 25 yards on 19 minutes, but Gladbach keeper Kasey Keller parried to safety.

Gladbach focused on containing their opponents and sat deep, but rarely ventured forward on the counter.

That tactic allowed few chances for Leverkusen, although Marko Babic sent a 20-yard free-kick flashing over the crossbar 10 minutes after the re-start.

Gladbach had a golden chance in the 59th minute from a corner, but Nando Rafael's header sailed just over Rene Adler's goal.

And five minutes later Leverkusen spurned the best chance of the game up to that point.

Keller blocked Simon Rolfes' shot directly into the path of Stefan Kiessling, but the Leverkusen striker hit the right upright when alone in front of the empty goal.

Gladbach began taking more risks as the second half wore on but couldn't create anything dangerous.

And their increased attacking play backfired at the death as Voronin, who will join Liverpool at the end of the season, popped up to hit the winner in the closing seconds.

After a skirmish in front of Keller's goal, the ball popped out to Voronin, who fired in via a deflection off Sebastian Svard's back to claim three lucky points for the hosts.