Hamburger SV remain on course for promotion thanks to their home strength in the 2nd Bundesliga.

The team, which is currently in second place, defeated the relegation candidates Eintracht Braunschweig 2:1 (2:0) and celebrated its seventh victory in seven home games. At least for one night, HSV drew level with its local rival FC St. Pauli in terms of points. However, the league leaders could restore the old gap with a win at Hansa Rostock on Saturday (1:00 p.m./Sky).

Hannover 96, on the other hand, left points behind in their own stadium for the first time after four home wins in a row. The team of coach Stefan Leitl drew 2-2 (0-2) with Hertha BSC after a comeback and climbed to third place in the table for the time being.

A brace from Guilherme Ramos (25th) and Immanuel Pherai (26th) within 70 seconds gave Hamburg, who have not won away from home in five games, a comfortable lead before half-time. Fabio Kaufmann (62nd) reduced the deficit for Braunschweig, who are second from bottom of the table, with their first away goal since August 6, when they beat 1. FC Magdeburg 1-2. The Lower Saxony team remains without a point on foreign soil.

Florian Niederlechner (29th) and Pascal Klemens (45th) gave Berlin a two-goal lead. Havard Nielsen (67th) reduced the deficit, and Andreas Voglsammer (80th) equalized for the hosts. Hertha is stuck in mid-table in tenth place.

HSV dominated from the outset, with plenty of possession, but hardly any high-quality scoring chances. In just over a minute, everything changed: First, Ramos headed the ball into the net from a corner by Jean-Luc-Dompe to make it 1-0, then Pherai scored with a low shot from the edge of the box.

But after the break, the hosts rested too much on their lead. Braunschweig gave a sign of life with the first away goal in 110 days – and even celebrated what appeared to be the equalizer. But Kaufmann’s goal was disallowed for offside after video review (74).