Cologne took top spot with a resounding win over Preußen Münster, Hamburg dipping to second thanks to their draw with Schalke.

Matchday 30 results

Cologne 3-2 Prussia Münster
Goals: 1-0 Lemperle 11′, 1-1 Hübers 39′ o.g., 2-1 Waldschmidt 45 '+1, 3-1 Downs 56′

Cologne rocketed into top spot on the Bundesliga 2 table with this comprehensive win, firming for Bundesliga promotion come the end of the season. The Billy Goats were in control from start to finish against visiting Münster, and did all the scoring – Hübers hit an own-goal. Damion Downs in particular could have had a hat-trick as chances went begging, but Münster, who remain in the relegation play-off spot (16th) will be glad their goal difference wasn’t further dented.

Schalke 2-2 Hamburg
Goals: 1-0 Schallenberg (15’), 1-1 Sahiti (41 '), 1-2 Sahiti (43 '), 2-2 Sylla (81 ')
Red card: Karaman (3 ')

League leaders HSV had the opportunity to go four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga 2 with victory over midtable Schalke. The Hamburg side couldn’t believe their luck as Kenan Karaman was sent off for the Royal Blues within the first five minutes, however, it was the hosts who struck first, taking the lead through Ron Schallenberg. HSV grew as the half went on, snatching the lead thanks to an Emir Sahiti brace just before the break. Complacency crept in, however, allowing Moussa Sylla to equalise late on for Schalke, opening the door for Cologne to take the top spot with a win on Sunday.

Magdeburg 3-0 Jahn Regensburg
Goals: 1-0 Candle 28 ', 2-0 El-zein 51 ', 3-0 Hercher 72′

Magdeburg firmed in their push for promotion with a one-way win over bottom club Regensburg. Livan Burcu and Alexander Nollenberger gave the visitors headaches all match long, using their pace and trickery to set up all three goals between them. Regensburg showed plenty of heart in their attempts to get back into the game, but a lack of precision suggests they will continue to struggle to peel themselves off the bottom of the table, while Magdeburg are now in the promotion play-off spot (third).

Elversberg 1-1 Fortuna Düsseldorf
Goals: 0-1 Jóhannesson (73 '), 1-1 Sickinger (80′ pen.)

This clash between direct promotion rivals proved a cagey affair until Elversberg defender Lukas Pinckert’s error led to a shock opener for the visitors. However, Carlo Sickinger hit back from the penalty spot to level it up minutes later, and while Giovanni Haag had a huge late chance to steal all three points for Düsseldorf, both sides had to make do with a point that does little for their promotion hopes. Elversberg drop to fourth, while Fortuna slip to sixth.

Nuremberg 2-3 Paderborn
Goals: 1-0 Emir (2 '), 1-1 Scheller (20 '), 1-2 Ansah (49′), 1-3 Michel (77′), 2-3 Emir (90+3 ')

After a disappointing defeat last week, Paderborn got back to winning ways with an impressive comeback win. Nuremberg opened the scoring after two minutes through Mahir Emreli before Paderborn fought back to lead 3-1. Emreli then added his second just before full-time, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation. The win leaves Paderborn in the hunt for promotion, just behind fourth-placed Elversberg on goal difference.

Eintracht Braunschweig 2-0 Kaiserslautern
Goals: 1-0 Tempelmann (51 '), 2-0 Philippe (53′)

Braunschweig eased their relegation fears with a third successive win thanks to a early second-half blitz. The first 45 minutes of the 20,000th game in the history of Bundesliga 2 saw the visitors fail to produce a shot on goal for the first time in more than 12 years, and their faltering promotion push was dealt a double blow soon after the restart. Lino Tempelmann and Rayan Philippe scored twice in the space of three minutes to put the hosts in the driving seat, and visiting goalkeeper Julian Krahl had to make a number of big saves to keep his team in it. Leon Robinson and Marlon Ritter had the visitors’ best chances but Lautern slipped to a third straight loss and have now just one win in their last six games.

Darmstadt 3-1 Hannover
Goals: 1-0 Hornby 1′, 1-1 Voglsammer 82, 2-1 Runner 83 ', 3-1 Hornby 90+2′

Hannover’s promotion hopes were dealt another blow after a third successive loss left André Breitenreiter’s men six points off a play-off pace with just four games to go. Conversely, Darmstadt were boosted by a win that all but ensures the Lilies will not be involved in the battle to beat the drop. The home side burst out of the blocks here when former Scotland U21 international Fraser Hornby opened the scoring in the first minute. When Andreas Voglsammer levelled after converting Havard Nielsen’s assist inside the game’s final 10 minutes, The Reds thought they were out of jail. Not so. Killian Corredor headed Darmstadt back in front immediately afterwards before Hornby sealed the deal with his second at the death.

Karlsruhe 1-0 Greuther Fürth
Goal: 1-0 Wannitz 75 '

Karlsruhe had Marvin Wanitzek’s sensational strike to thanks for all three points at home to Fürth on Sunday. The star midfielder, whose 11th of the season marked a new personal best in Bundesliga 2, proved the solution in a tricky match against a Fürth side who defended well but failed to threaten going forward. KSC move into the top half of the table with the win, while Fürth – seven points clear of the drop zone – sit tight in 14th.

Ulm 2-3 Hertha Berlin
Goals: 1-0 Keller 10′, 1-1 Reese 46′, 1-2 Reese 50′, 2-2 Dressel 56 ', 2-3 Niederlechner

The Hertha revival continues under recently appointed coach Stefan Leitl with the capital club making it four wins in their last five unbeaten games to rise to 11th spot in the standings. Fabian Reese’s quick-fire double after the break turned the game in the visitors’ favour after relegation-threatened Ulm had led at half-time. Although Dennis Dressel restored parity for the home side thereafter, veteran forward Florian Niederlechner popped up with his sixth goal of the campaign before the end to keep the Berliners motoring.

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