Schalke were forced to come from behind to beat lowly Duisburg 2-1 in the Bundesliga at the Arena AufSchalke on Friday.Blagoy Georgiev gave the visitors a shock 20th-minute lead with a brilliant solo goal, and Schalke did not equalise until just before the hour mark when Kevin Kuranyi bundled in an Ivan Rakitic cross.

Heiko Westermann volleyed in a close-range rebound with 16 minutes remaining to secure the three points.

The result takes fifth-placed Schalke level on 41 points with Bayer Leverkusen, nine behind league leaders Bayern Munich, while Duisburg remain second from bottom on 18 points, now with one win in nine Bundesliga games.

After two consecutive home defeats - and news of a Champions League semi-final draw against Barcelona - Schalke began poorly.

Maicon forced a fingertip save from Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on 14 minutes and, while Jermaine Jones wasted two chances at the other end, Georgiev's effort was due reward for Duisburg's positive start.

The Bulgaria international intercepted the ball inside his own half and advanced down the left flank, dribbling past Gustavo Varela before curling his chipped shot past Neuer from the left corner of the penalty area for his first Bundesliga goal.

The home side improved after half-time, scoring twice in 15 minutes to win the game.

After Duisburg lost the ball in defence, Rakitic crossed from the right and, though it was too high for Halil Altintop, Kuranyi scored with his knee at the far post from six yards.

Schalke continued to pile on the pressure, and won the game when Westermann was first to the rebound after Gerald Asamoah headed against the crossbar, firing in a close-range volley from a tight angle.

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