FC St. Pauli

With close rivals of both teams securing wins on Friday evening, the game took on even more significance. But in the quest to a score a crucial three points and close the gap to the teams in mid-table, Ewald Lienen had to do without the in-form central defensive pairing of Lasse Sobiech (suspended) and the ailing Marc Hornschuh. Thankfully, capable replacements were on hand in captain Sören Gonther and Philipp Ziereis.

In the opening stages the rejigged defence had little trouble fending off Hannover's attacking efforts. The visitors sought to dominate the possession, while the Boys in Brown looked to break down the flanks at pace. Lienen's side created the first opening in the eighth minute, when Ziereis narrowly failed to get a decisive touch on Bernd Nehrig's flick-on, but chances remained a rarity as the attacking attempts of both sides fizzled out early.

After an opening 25 minutes in which St. Pauli looked slightly the busier of the two sides, Hannover took charge without ever posing a serious threat. Lienen's men, for their part, earned themselves a string of set pieces, mostly free-kicks from 30-40 metres out, yet they too were unable to convert any of these openings into goalscoring opportunities. Waldemar Anton had the best chance of the game to that point on the stroke of half-time, but his powerful drive from 20 metres zipped past the upright, ensuring a first period low on penalty-box action ended goalless.

High on challenges, low on chances – the two teams went in deservedly level at half-time.

St. Pauli hit the ground running after the restart and put the visitors under enormous pressure. After forcing a series of corners that carried at least a hint of danger, they went close twice in quick succession. In the 56^th minute only a last-ditch lunge from Marvin Bakalorz prevented Mats Møller Dæhli from scoring, and moments later Aziz Bouhaddouz smashed a shot against the far post.

A brief lull followed but whenever there was danger it was in front of Philipp Tschauner's goal. The former St. Pauli custodian produced a brilliant stop to deny substitute Lennart Thy after a ball-in from Christopher Buchtmann on 72. Sixty seconds later Salif Sané somehow got his head in the way of Waldemar Sobota's goalbound effort. The Boys in Brown continued to push forward in search of a winner and a magnificent pass by Ziereis sent Bouhaddouz clear, but short on options he blasted the ball straight at Tschauner.

In the closing stages Hannover decided to get in on the action. The visitors fashioned chances on the break through the fleet-footed Uffe Bech, and Füllkrug slipped the ball past Philipp Heerwagen, only for Ziereis to hook the ball clear before it could cross the line. All of a sudden, Daniel Stendel's men were in overdrive. Anton hit the post on 82, and seconds later Martin Harnik squandered a golden opportunity to win it when he blazed the ball over from close range. Four minutes later Bech drove another clear-cut chance straight at Heerwagen. It was a close-run thing, but the Boys in Brown held out to gain a point ahead of next week's all-important trip to Aue. They will be without Aziz Bouhaddouz for that one, however, as the striker picked up his fifth booking of the season just before the end.

FC St. Pauli

Heerwagen – Dudziak, Ziereis, Gonther, Buballa – Sobota (Kalla 85'), Nehrig, Buchtmann, Sahin (Choi 64') – Bouhaddouz, Møller Dæhli (Thy 61')

Head coach: Ewald Lienen

Hannover 96

Tschauner – Bakalorz, Hübner, Sané, Albornoz – Anton, Schmiedebach – Fossum (Bech 61'), Maier (Sarenren Bazee 67'), Prib (Füllkrug 77') - Harnik

Head coach: Daniel Stendel

Goals: None

Yellow cards: Buchtmann, Kalla, Bouhaddouz - Schmiedebach, Maier

Referee: Felix Zwayer

Attendance: 29,546 (sold out)

Photos: Witters