UPDATE 2-Soccer-Hamburg, Bremen lose ground at top with draws

* Leaders Bayer Leverkusen three points clear

* Hamburg held 2-2 at Hanover after late penalty

* Bremen draw 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund (adds quotes)

BERLIN, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Hamburg SV and Werder Bremen lost ground to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen when they were both forced to settle for draws on Sunday.

Careless Hamburg conceded a penalty two minutes from time in a 2-2 draw at Hanover 96, while Bremen squandered a series of chances in a 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund.

The results left Leverkusen three points clear at the top of the table, with 26 points from 12 matches, thanks to their 4-0 drubbing of Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday.

Bremen are second on 23, ahead of Hamburg on goal difference after a day of missed chances for the chasing pair.

Hamburg came close to an opening goal in a match they dominated when Eljero Elia sprinted down the left wing and curled a shot wide of the far post.

The gifted 22-year-old Dutchman then combined well with Marcell Jansen, sending a quick pass into the box for the German to tap in from close range.