Rico Benatelli's goal within seconds of coming on as a second-half substitute proved to be the difference between Erzgebirge Aue and FSV Frankfurt, bringing the former just one point from safety.

Aue and Tomislav Stipic were under enormous pressure before the game had even started. Their three relegation rivals, 1860 Munich, St. Pauli and VfR Aalen all won, meaning they had slipped back to the bottom of the table. They made two changes to the side that lost out to Sandhausen last weekend, bringing in Bobby Wood and Michael Fink for Oliver Schröder and Rene Klingbeil.

FSV Frankfurt are the form team of 2015 in the 2. Bundesliga, having only lost to league leaders FC Ingolstadt in the Rückrunde and a draw to Greuther Fürth got them back on track last weekend. Benno Möhlmann was without the injured Hanno Balitsch and suspended Alexander Bittroff, so Tom Beugelsdijk and Florijon Belegu were drafted in as replacements.

It was clear from the off that Aue were desperate to claim an early lead. Frankfurt were hassled and harried all over the pitch, while the hosts continued to probe in possession. Stefan Mugosa and Wood were looking threatening up front and the latter was denied by a smart Patrick Klandt save at his near post.

Klandt was called into action again, this time by Mugosa, and dealt with the forward's powerful drive well. Martin Männel was a spectator for the first half-hour, but he produced two full-stretch stops to keep Vincenzo Grifo and Zlatko Dedic at bay.

The visitors were beginning to turn the screw more and more but Aue were looking equally threatening on the break. Neither side could find a way through before the half-time whistle and they went in level at the break.

Sebastian Hertner replaced Romario Kortzorg at the break as the home side continued the hunt for an opening goal. Mugosa rose highest to meet a Fabian Müller cross, though his header was straight into the arms of Klandt.

That strike came with the introduction of Rico Benatelli. He was on the pitch no more than five seconds before he wandered into the box for a free-kick. Selcuk Alibaz's delivery was perfect and Benatelli had lost his marker, duly heading home and leaving Klandt with no chance. The relief around the ground was huge, even Stipic charged down the line to celebrate with his goal-scorer.

Aue continued to press and were after a second, although it was Odise Roshi's drive that flashed past the post which nearly surprised the home faithful. Frankfurt were gradually pushing their opponents deeper and deeper, but Fink and Stipe Vucur held firm.

The final whistle went and the home side were able to grind out a huge three points, taking them off the bottom and a mere three points from 15th. They face Eintracht Braunschweig next Monday, while FSV Frankfurt, who remain firmly in mid-table, face VfR Aalen.

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]