Schalke manager Felix Magath praised his team for finding the strength even he did not believe they had to come from behind and claim a draw against Bayer Leverkusen.

After recovering to draw 3-3 against Hamburg last weekend, the Royal Blues came from two goals behind to grab a 2-2 draw at the Arena AufSchalke and cement their position in the top four of the Bundesliga, earning possibly the first words of praise all season from their demanding coach.

"After we went 2-0 down, I had little hope of us being able to find such strength like last weekend and turn things around," admitted Magath.

"Especially not considering we also played in the DFB-Pokal during the week.

"But the team was fantastic and fought with high morale."

Nevertheless, Magath praised his opponents, who moved one point clear at the top of the table, saying they deserve to be where they are in the standings.

"Leverkusen are the best team we have played against so far," he said.

However, Magath would not be Magath if he did not find something to complain about, and the performance of referee Michael Weiner left him perplexed.

He ruled out what appeared to be a fair goal scored by Jefferson Farfan on the hour mark, and that, in Magath's opinion, was not all.

"He influenced the game," said Magath. "He gave more in favour of Leverkusen than for us and that strengthened Bayer."

Leverkusen director of sport Rudi Voller felt his team deserved to take more from the game.

He could not even be happy to boast the last remaining unbeaten record in German football.

"We are all totally disappointed,'' he said. "This feels like a 2-2 defeat.''