FC Erzgebirge Aue can regain hope of staying in the league before the winter break of the third football league.

In the opening match of matchday 17, the second-division relegated team won 1-0 (0-0) at Borussia Dortmund II. Marco Schikora scored 20 seconds after the restart to give the visitors a deserved lead. Despite the third win of the season, Aue will spend the winter break in the relegation places with 14 points.

Compared to the 0:2 home defeat against MSV Duisburg last week, interim coach Carsten Müller changed the starting eleven in no fewer than seven positions, including Patrick Klewin replacing the injured regular goalkeeper Martin Männel. After a quiet opening phase, Aue became stronger and stronger and dominated the game. Paul-Philipp Besong (18th, 38th) and Dimitrij Nazarov (33rd) had the best chances.

Shortly after the restart, Nazarov stopped Dortmund’s possession and passed to Ivan Knezevic, who crossed his chest to the arriving Schikora, who scored from 14 metres into the corner and celebrated his second goal of the season. Aue continued to dominate the game, but failed to extend their lead. The Erzgebirger were left to tremble as the hosts pressed for an equaliser in the final minutes. Göktan Gürpüz narrowly missed the Auer goal in the 81st and 84th minutes or failed to score in injury time, as did his teammates, against the brilliant Klewin.