Gladbach recently followed Leverkusen in sacking a manager in the early stages of the season, opting to dismiss Gerardo Seoane following last weekend’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Werder Bremen.
Tasked with overseeing the team on an interim basis, Eugen Polanski would have been relieved to see Moritz Nicolas react quickly to thwart Patrik Schick’s close-range header.
Polanski then thought his team had netted their first goal of the season when Jens Castrop lashed home a first-time strike, only for the celebrations to be spoiled by a VAR intervention for offside.
Undeterred from his disallowed effort, Castrop neatly carved out an opening for Joe Scally to threaten in the closing stages of the first period, with Mark Flekken required to dive low down to his left to ensure the two sides went into the break on level terms.
With the game finely poised, the two sides started cautiously after the restart, resulting in clear-cut chances being few and far between until Leverkusen found the all-important breakthrough just before the 70th minute.
Schick failed to make a meaningful connection with Ernest Poku’s cut-back, but Malik Tillman had no such problems as he calmly stroked home his second league goal of the season.
Moments later, Scally attempted to provide a quick response to Tillman’s opener, skipping into the box before being denied by Flekken at the near post.
Despite seeing their goalkeeper tested, Leverkusen appeared to be cruising to back-to-back league wins until Tabakovic netted a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time.
The substitute towered high to meet an inviting corner and calmly steer his header beyond the helpless Flekken.
Gladbach’s first goal of the season sparked scenes of jubilation among the away support and sealed a precious point, although they remain in the bottom three.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)