Second division leaders Darmstadt 98 continue to storm towards the Bundesliga after a furious last-minute finish, while 1. FC Kaiserslautern stumble in the promotion race.

While the Lilien won 2-1 (0-0) against Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday, the Red Devils lost 1-0 (0-0) at FC St. Pauli. At the same time, Fortuna Düsseldorf defeated SV Sandhausen 2:0 (0:0).

In Darmstadt, Mathias Honsak (82nd) and Phillip Tietz (90+1st) redeemed the hosts after Manuel Wintzheimer (52nd, hand penalty after video evidence) had scored to give Braunschweig the lead. Coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s Hessen (45 points) remain at the top with a four-point lead over Hamburger SV. Nathan de Medina was shown a late yellow card for the visitors (90.+8).

Kaiserslautern, meanwhile, suffered their first away defeat after five consecutive victories. St. Pauli’s Australian Connor Metcalfe scored the goal of the day with a low shot in the 72nd minute. With 35 points, the Palatinate team is in fifth place, two points behind third place in the relegation table. There lies 1. FC Heidenheim, who drew 3:3 (3:0) with HSV on Saturday.

In Düsseldorf, a deflected shot by Tim Oberdorf gave Fortuna three important points in the fight for promotion. The defender’s late goal (85th) paved the way for Daniel Thioune’s team to win 2-0 (0-0) against relegation candidates Sandhausen after a real storming run. Rouwen Hennings (88th) made everything clear shortly afterwards.

Sixth in the table, the Düsseldorf side, whose top scorer Dawid Kownacki had to be substituted early on with an injury (18th minute), are five points off the relegation places and nine off a promotion spot. Sandhausen slipped to penultimate place.