The Lower Saxony side were beaten 4-0 at the Mungersdorfer Stadion and they could see their advantage over fifth-placed Bayern Munich cut to two points today as the race for a place in the Champions League next season intensifies.

And Slomka says his side missed a great opportunity to strengthen their claim for a place in Europe's elite club competition.

"We had so many chances in the first half an hour and we simply had to take the lead," said Slomka.

"Then the game would have gone differently, but after we conceded it got tough.

"We could no longer withstand them."

Cologne coach Frank Schafer admitted his side had been lucky to get away with a poor opening.

"We started the game badly and had no organisation," he said.

"We saw a different side in the second half and they deserved the win."

Cologne's sixth home win in a row took them up to 10th place, seven points clear of the relegation zone.