St. Pauli took on a resurgent FSV Frankfurt at the Millerntor-Stadion for a Saturday noon shoot-out. After a tight and tense first period the dead-lock was broken within fifty seconds of the restart, thanks to Lennart Thy's smart turn and finish. However, a poor clearing header allowed Joni Kauko to volley in an equaliser and earn a point for his side.
Ewald Lienen's men gave themselves a massive confidence boost in the battle to avoid the drop last weekend. A hard-fought and deserved 0-2 win over Eintracht Braunschweig pulled them level with Erzgebirge Aue in the relegation play-off place. Such was the nature of the victory, Lienen opted to field an unchanged starting eleven.
FSV's unbeaten start to 2015 had continued after a 1-1 draw in the Hessen-derby against SV Darmstadt 98. The three changes Benno Möhlmann made for that game were reversed for their trip north, as Zlatko Dedic, Joni Kauko and Hanno Balitsch returned to the line-up. That meant Edmund Kapllani, Timm Golley and Tom Beugelsdijk had to settle for the bench.
Determined as ever, especially given their recent run, there was no lack of effort from the Bornheimer early on. Although Christopher Nöthe had a strong goal-bound shot well blocked by Balitsch in the opening period.
Chances were falling at both ends, in what was turning into an interesting encounter. Robin Himmelmann did brilliantly to deny Vincenzo Grifo one-on-one and Lasse Sobiech wasted a great opportunity from a free header at the other end. Marcel Halstenburg also went close, though his 20-yard drive slipped wide of the post.
A bird had made the St. Pauli box its home for a period in the first-half, as they continued to pepper Patrick Klandt. The FSV stopper stood firm and his side eventually began to break forward, though his opposite number confidently dealt with any shots that came his way.
The second-half couldn't have started off in a better fashion for the hosts and they took the lead within a minute of the restart. Jan-Philipp Kalla drove towards the by-line and cut the ball back to Lennart Thy. He took a touch and spun his man, all in one swift movement, to rifle the ball past a helpless Klandt and send the home fans into a frenzy.
They could have scored a quick-fire second, although Nöthe couldn't sort his feet out and that allowed Balitsch to make a vital intervention. They were made to pay for not taking the flurry of chances that followed the opener and FSV drew level.
Sebastian Maier's attempted header clear only moved the ball closer to goal and some fine juggling from Mario Engels set up Kauko to volley home an equaliser. It was a catastrophic error from one of the few bright sparks in St. Pauli's season, who was visibly annoyed as Frankfurt wheeled away in celebration.
Opportunities were few and far between as the game dragged on. Klandt and Himmelmann made crucial saves late on that secured a point for their respective sides, although it was a game that could have gone either way.
Despite only picking up a point, it does bring St. Pauli out of the automatic relegation places above Erzgebirge Aue. Lienen's side have played a game more but will be pleased nevertheless. Frankfurt's unbeaten run stretches to six and they'll fancy their chances of making it seven against SV Sandhausen next weekend.