In a game that mattered little, it was a late Guido Burgstaller goal that sent the Frankenstadion faithful home happy with a hard-fought victory.
With nothing to play for, both sides were completely free of responsibility. However, Raphael Schäfer was nearly left with egg on his face early on. Jurgen Gjasula's corner almost caught out the veteran stopper, but he was able to recover and tip it over the bar.
Nürnberg could have gone in front soon after, though Danny Blum somehow managed to head Guido Burgstaller's inch-perfect cross wide of the mark. Blum and Dave Bulthuis followed that up with two attempts in quick succession but neither found the target.
Finally, almost right on the half-hour mark, Bulthuis had his goal. He'd been a constant threat through-out the half and was rewarded for his persistence. He rose above everyone to bullet a header into the bottom corner from Alessandro Schöpf's delivery.
The game fell fairly quite after that and there was another blow to come for Aalen. Orhan Ademi had already come off injured and soon Fabio Kaufmann had to be replaced by Dominick Drexler, with Nürnberg maintaining their slender lead into half-time.
Aalen had an early chance to draw level in the second-half and it fell to Oliver Barth, though he was unable to direct his effort goalwards.
True to form, they took advantage. Jurgen Gjasula, a rare bright spark for them, stroked home the equaliser from the edge of the box, following a good save from Schäfer to deny Dennis Chessa.
Aalen took heart from this and continued to push forward in search of another goal, keen to give their fans something to cheer. Maximilian Welzmüller rattled the bar from all of thirty yards, in what was a magnificent effort.
There was to be late heart-break, however. Welzmüller was booked for a second time and Nürnberg were finally able to take advantage. Burgstaller slid home Sebastian Kerk's pass, sealing a late three points for the hosts. The result meant little on the day, though Aue were still understandably distraught.