Maximilian Thiel, Damir Kreilach and Martin Kobylanski's goals secured a comfortable win for Union Berlin in Frankfurt, though the hosts have now dropped in the relegation play-off places.
Union didn't have any sympathy for their hosts' situation and made them pay for a lacklustre start. Tom Beugelsdijk was robbed of possession and the capital club broke away and took full advantage. The Frankfurt defence were all over the place and Sebastian Polter squared to Maximilian Thiel, who calmly tapped into the open net.
Hanno Balitsch almost had his side level soon after, though his header was brilliantly pushed over by Daniel Haas. Vincenzo Grifo also went close from one of his trade-mark free-kicks, clipping the outside of the post from twenty-five yards out.
Grifo did turn provider from the equaliser, however, which was almost a carbon copy of Balitsch's chance. The Italian's delivery was inch-perfect and Edmond Kapllani rose highest to power home a header from six yards out, leaving Haas grasping at thin air. The game tightened up after the goal and neither side were able to create anything of note before the break.
In truth, it was a very even encounter. Neither side was doing enough to be in the lead, though Odise Roshi somehow managed to hit the post twice in consecutive attempts. That was a welcome sight for the hosts but Joan Oumari's loss of the ball was not.
The defender was caught out after his misplaced pass and Damir Kreilach's through-ball was quite exquisite to send Martin Kobylanski racing through. He took the chance early, sending a half-volley screaming into the bottom corner from twenty-yards to restore their lead.
Kreilach turned from providing the assist to providing the finish, as he popped up at the back post to carefully nudge the ball through Patrick Klandt's legs and seal a thoroughly deserved three points for the visitors. Frankfurt now have to hope results go their way and that they can better 1860 Munich's result to have a chance of staying up against Fortuna Düsseldorf next weekend.