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

The second-placed team defeated relegation candidate Eintracht Braunschweig 2-1 (2-0) and celebrated its seventh win in its seventh home game. At least for one night, HSV drew level on points with local rivals FC St. Pauli. However, the league leaders could restore their previous lead with three points at Hansa Rostock on Saturday (1:00 p.m./Sky).

Hannover 96, on the other hand, dropped points at home for the first time after four consecutive home wins. Coach Stefan Leitl’s team came from behind to draw 2-2 (0-2) with Hertha BSC and climbed to third place in the table for the time being.

A double strike from Guilherme Ramos (25th minute) and Immanuel Pherai (26th minute) within 70 seconds gave Hamburg, who have not won away from home in five games, a comfortable lead before the break. Fabio Kaufmann (62′) pulled one back for second-bottom Braunschweig with their first away goal since August 6, when they lost 2-1 to 1. FC Magdeburg. However, the Lower Saxony side remain without a point on the road.

Florian Niederlechner (29′) and Pascal Klemens (45′) gave Berlin a two-goal lead. Havard Nielsen (67′) pulled one back, and Andreas Voglsammer (80′) equalized for the hosts. Hertha are stuck in tenth place in the table.

HSV dominated from the start with plenty of possession, but created few clear-cut chances. Everything changed in the space of a minute: first Ramos headed in a cross from Jean-Luc Dompe following a corner 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 showed signs of life with their first away goal in 110 days and even celebrated what they thought was the equalizer. But Kaufmann’s goal was disallowed after a video review for offside (74′).