Alexander Madlung's header gave Eintracht a first half lead, a powerful leap to nod home Bastian Oczipka's delivery. The first forty-five had plenty of chances, although both defences were in fine form. The hosts doubled their lead soon after the break, as Stefan Aigner capitalised on a poor back pass. Marcelo's unorthodox finish gave Hannover a life line and Didier Ya Konan scored a sublime equaliser to send the visiting fans home happy.
Frankfurt blew a one-goal lead away to bottom-placed VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 26, before going on to lose the game three-one. However, Thomas Schaaf remained faithful to a largely similar starting line-up; Marc Stendera dropped to the bench for Sonny Kittel in their only alteration.
Hannover were still reeling after losing 2-3 to Borussia Dortmund before the international break, knowing that they could still be sucked even deeper into the relegation dog fight. Tayfun Korkut lost Leonardo Bittencourt to suspension and Joselu dropped to the bench, as Edgar Prib and Didier Ya Konan earned starting berths.
The opening exchanges in Frankfurt would have been of great interest to those who appreciated old fashioned wing play. Both were utilising the flanks, although neither could find the players waiting in the box. That was until Prib snuck in behind the defensive line and had his shot saved by Kevin Trapp. The resulting corner wasn't dealt with at all well and Felipe, somehow, headed wide of an open net from four yards out.
Ron-Robert Zieler had to be alert at the other end when Alexander Meier's long-range free-kick nearly curled inside his post, but he managed to turn the ball acrobatically past the post.
He was helpless to prevent Frankfurt from getting into the lead, following a free-kick in an almost identical position. Bastian Oczipka took control of the dead-ball this time and produced a fine delivery for Alexander Madlung, who powered home his header into the bottom corner from twelve yards out. The Hannover back-line appealed for offside, though it was in vein and Madlung celebrated his third of the season.
The remainder of the half was fairly tame. Hannover did their best to force an equaliser but were unable to make any of their multiple set-piece chances pay dividends. Frankfurt were a tad lucky to be ahead at the break, though they looked strong in both defence and attack.
After a half of beautiful sunshine, the rain began to fall at the Commerzbank-Arena. The slick surface seemed to speed up the play further, as well as leaving some players slipping and sliding around.
Frankfurt took full advantage of Christian Schulz's mistake, who misjudged the strength of his back-pass, to add a second. Haris Seferovic pounced and, with Zieler stranded, cut the ball back for Stefan Aigner to tap into the empty net.
Hannover almost responded immediately, although Lars Stindl's strike found Madlung on the line and the goalscorer stood firm to block his shot. Miiko Albornoz and Jan Schlaudraff were sent on to try and reduce the deficit and no more than a minute later the had a life-line.
Hiroshi Kiyotake's corner was met by Marcelo's back, not his head, as the defender flung himself at the ball. It had enough power to beat a stranded Trapp, as the defender wheeled away in celebration.
Frankfurt went close twice in quick succession, looking to kill off any hopes of a Hannover comeback. Zieler produced a fine save from Sonny Kittel, before Seferovic sent a 25-yard effort screaming past the post.
The game looked to be meandering towards a dull finish, but Ya Konan had other ideas. The cult hero returned in January and this was arguably the best goal of either of his spells. He cut inside after collecting Stindl's through ball, firing a curling effort past the outstretched Trapp and into the far corner. Korkut was jumping for joy and the visitors could smell blood.
Stindl thought he'd done just that, finishing similarly to Ya Konan, although his joy was short lived and he was flagged, correctly, for offside. The game finished two-two, in what was yet another breathless encounter involving Schaaf's side.
They would have been disappointed to blow yet another lead, which would have taken them into seventh place. Hannover fall a place, despite their draw, after Freiburg's win and they now are just three points from relegation. They face Hertha BSC, in what is now an enormously important clash; Frankfurt travel to the Allianz Arena, hoping to avenge their drubbing earlier in the season.