Promotion party postponed: Second division leaders Darmstadt 98 missed their first match point to return to the Bundesliga.

Coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team lost 3-0 (0-1) to FC St. Pauli on matchday 31 and failed to capitalise on third-placed Hamburger SV’s advantage.

After HSV could not get beyond a 2-2 draw against SC Paderborn on Friday, the Lilien could no longer have been denied promotion if they had won. However, the league leader’s lead over third place is still seven points. The next chance to make the return to the top flight perfect after six years comes next weekend at Hannover 96.

An own goal by Phillip Tietz (45th), Elias Saad (57th) and David Otto (84th) gave St. Pauli, by far the best team in the second half of the season, victory. The Hamburg side thus preserved their chance of a relegation place and reduced the gap to HSV to four points. For Darmstadt it was the first home defeat this season.

After an atmospheric start in the stands at the Stadion am Böllenfalltor, Darmstadt started nervously. Fabian Schnellhardt (8.) and Tietz (20.) made their presence felt with dangerous finishes, but easy mistakes often crept into Darmstadt’s efforts. Tietz was also the one who unfortunately deflected the ball into his own goal after a free kick by the visitors.

In the second half, goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen initially kept the Lilien in the game against Marcel Hartel (47th). However, the keeper was powerless when Saad extended the lead from close range. Nevertheless, Darmstadt fought back, but substitute Aaron Seydel (69th) missed the connection. Otto, on the other hand, put an end to Darmstadt’s last hopes of a late turnaround.