Pokal round-up: Stuttgart see off Union as pressure mounts on Fischer, wins for St.Pauli and FC Homburg
Deniz Undav's goal was enough as Union Berlin's losing streak extends to 11 games. Elsewhere, St.Pauli held off fellow 2.Bundesliga outfit Schalke, while Regionalliga Sudwest side FC Homburg 08 upset Greuther Fürth.
Stuttgart 1 - Union Berlin 0
Union Berlin would be hopeful of a change in fortunes this evening as they took on Stuttgart. Pokal action offered a change of scenery to bring about a different perfomance, but the Köpenick club would succumb to a 1-0 defeat.
Replacing the injured Serhou Guirassy, Deniz Undav's goal on the stroke of half-time would be the difference in the end. Ito's cross from the left flank was diverted by Rønnow in the Union goal. Lwelling's rebound met the gloves of the Danish shot-stopper too, but Undav was on hand to tap home from 6 yards out.
St.Pauli 2 - Schalke 1 (aet)
Two clubs from opposite ens of the 2.Bundesliga table did battle in the Millerntor-Stadion tonight. The Royal Blues have endured torrid times of late but took a shock lead through the head of Marcin Kaminski on 16 minutes.
Schalke's lead would be wiped out just before the hour mark. Murkin's handball afforded Marcel Hartel a spotkick to send Fährmann the wrong way. While a winner couldn't be found in normal time, St.Pauli found the breaktrough in the first period of extra time. Hartel crossed for the head of Johannes Eggestein who ensured the hosts advanced.
FC Homburg 2 - Greuther Fürth 1
The Pokal upset of the night came in South West Germany as Regionalliga side Homburg brought Fürth's cup campaign to a close. The plucky underdogs took the lead through Fabian Eisele after the half-hour mark.
While former Gladbach striker Branimir Hrgota restored parity in the 52nd minute, Homburg forged a winner with seven minutes to play. Substitute Phil Harres hammered the ball in off the underside of Linden's crossbar.