Gladbach's one-point lead at the top may not last long with Borussia Dortmund having the chance to leapfrog them again on Saturday, at home to Werder Bremen.

Champions Bayern Munich will likely conclude the weekend top should they win at Bochum on Sunday.

Plea slammed his spot-kick past Oliver Christensen in the 34th minute on Friday after Maximilian Mittelstadt blocked a cross with his arm.

A handball from Filip Uremovic, spotted by the video assistant, gave Gladbach a second penalty in the 70th minute but this time Hofmann pulled rank on Plea only to see a poor kick saved low by the visiting keeper.

Uremovic was sent off for his handball, having been booked first for trying to distract Plea before his penalty.

Hertha remain winless under new coach Sandro Schwarz and, despite making the occasional chance through Dodi Lukebakio, can have little complaint about a second loss in three Bundesliga games after exiting the German Cup in the first round.

Plea's deflected effort hitting the bar and Marcus Thuram hitting the prone Christensen were the clearest opportunities of the game before Gladbach broke the deadlock from the spot.

Kevin-Prince Boateng was fractionally short of turning in a late cross with the only chance for the 10 men to snatch a dramatic leveller.

Australian Associated Press