Despite a strong showing, Jurgen Gjasula's brace sealed a hard-fought away win for the visitors.
Having both picked up wins last weekend, Union and Greuther Fürth were keen to keep consistency with team selection. Sascha Lewandowski brought in Benjamin Kessel and Sören Brandy following suspension, as they replaced Raffael Korte for Benjamin Kessel and Stephan Fürstner. Stefan Ruthenbeck, fresh from Frankenderby success, opted for a more attacking alteration and included Robert Zulj in place of Goran Sukalo.
Entertaining first half sees Union lead
The early exchanges in the capital were largely fought out in midfield. Both sides were extremely strong across the middle of the park and proving tough to get past, although a quick counter provided the first opportunity of the game. Tom Weilandt was able to skip past his man after Fürth fast-paced breakaway, only to see Daniel Haas tip his 20-yard drive around the post.
It was a fairly stagnant game for the opening quarter-hour, though that was all about to change with a lovely move from Union that resulted in the opening goal. Toni Leistner's pin-point long ball was headed down by Brandy towards Kessel, who delivered a fantastic first-time cross into the box. The ball couldn't have been any better and was duly finished off by Steven Skrzybski, sliding in at the back post to cap off a fine passing play.
Union could have been even further ahead moments later but for a combination of Sebastian Mielitz and the post. Michael Parensen's header was well kept out by the former-Freiburg stopper before the lively Brandy rattled the upright on the rebound.
Damir Kreilach had two good chances after that and could count himself unfortunate to have not scored. A cross into the box seen the Croat arrive late and strike the ball well, though a touch from Bobby Wood's knee lifted it over the bar. Wood turned provider with a mazy run setting up Kreilach, whose shot took two deflections before being brilliantly tipped wide by Mielitz. The Shamrock stopper ensured his side weren't further behind at the break.
Gjasula turns it around in the second half
Despite the first-half dominance, Union found themselves pegged back immediately after the break. Ruthenbeck's decision to bring Jurgen Gjasula with him to Fürth from Aalen was never real in doubt, and his form in the early season was evidence of why he had done just that. The midfielder had gone close with free-kicks already this term and this time got it just right, curling into the bottom corner with pace and precision from 20 yards.
The hosts were frustrated with the free-kick that led to them losing their lead and a few rough tackles came flying in afterwards. Once they did calm down, however, normal service was resume. Erol Zejnullahu's drive came close to restoring the advantage but was flicked wide just in time.
Just as Lewandowski's men looked to be building up a head of steam it was quickly wiped out. Brandy fouled Robert Zulj in the area although there was a definite case that he had got the ball when making the tackle. Nevertheless Gjasula was the man tasked with slotting home the spot-kick and he did just that, squeezing his effort between Haas and the post to take them ahead.
Union did mount a late fightback and would have felt even more annoyed that they didn't, at least, level the game. Wood was played through late on and his shot cannoned out off the underside of the bar but there was more drama to come. Kessel appeared to have levelled the game, only for it to be controversially disallowed. There appeared to be no real reason to chalk it off, and the home side were understandably livid.
Fürth held on for the win but it wasn't the most convincing win in the world, not that they'll mind. Union were the better side, though they know that on another day the scoreline could have been very different.