Despite a dramatic late fight-back and a goal from their goalkeeper, Erzgebirge Aue's stay in the 2. Bundesliga came to an end. They couldn't find that vital winner and down on goal difference.

Aue's desire to strike early was clear. The team who began the day in the final relegation place were eager to get going, but were struggling to make a break through.

Clemens Fandrich, especially, was trying to find a crack in the home defence, though his passes were just evading the attentions of his front men.

Selcuk Alibaz, another prominent figure, continued to find Stefan Mugosa from set-pieces and, at the third time of asking, it finally paid dividends. The on-loan Kaiserslautern man met Alibaz's free-kick, only to see it go just wide of the mark.

Heidenheim were unusually quiet on the attack, with neither Florian Niederlecher or Marc Schnatterer able to force themselves on the game. That was a great sign for the visitors, though they couldn't put any chances to bed before the half-time interval.

The hosts came out with more purpose after the break and Mathias Wittek's smashing drive required Martin Männel to be on his toes. That was the moment boost they needed and got into the lead.

It was an incredible header from Kevin Kraus to open the scoring. Philip Heise's header was pin-point, though the header was something else. The centre-back rose above everyone and crashed the ball into the top corner from twelve yards, leaving Männel helpless.

Smail Morabit crashed an effort against the post minutes later, with Heidenheim pushing for a second. Aue's luck was out and Robert Leipertz took full advantage, rifling the ball into the bottom corner to kill off the game and Aue's hopes of survival.

However, that all changed when Patrick Schönfeld converted from the spot. Stipe Vucur was fouled in the area and the midfielder just knocked the ball past Jan Zimmermann.

Drama struck with just two minutes on the clock when Männel, up for a corner, nodded home a quite fantastic equaliser. Aue continued to venture forward, although there was to be no late winner to save their skins.

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