A solo goal from new signing Giorgi Chanturia put an end to Duisburg's nine-game winless run, as they beat Paderborn one-nil.
Similar team selection for both produces an even opening
Gino Lettieri opted for three alterations, with Rolf Feltscher, James Holland and Kingsley Onuegbu coming into the starting eleven. They replaced the benched Steffen Bohl, and the injured Dustin Bomheuer and Enis Hajri. Markus Gellhaus made just one change from Paderborn's last venture, as Dominik Wydra replaced the hamstrung Oliver Kirch.
The early exchanges between the two struggling sides were, understandably, tense. Neither team wanted to over commit, especially the hosts. Duisburg had only taken the lead a handful of times during the opening nine fixtures, and to fall behind again would not have been the ideal start.
The quarter-hour mark provided the game's first real chance, which fell to the visitors. A half-cleared corner was worked into Idir Ouali, and the Frenchman drove inside before cutting past his man and rifling a shot narrowly past Michael Ratajczak's near post.
Duisburg denied in entertaining end to the half
Duisburg's attacking line-up finally found their feet and it was a magic touch from Victor Obinna that nearly provided an opening goal. The Nigerian forward somehow managed to wriggle free of several Paderborn defenders to produce an audacious lobbed attempt from the edge of the area. His effort looked destined for the back of the net, only for Lukas Kruse to scuttle backwards and claw it behind for a corner.
The final few attempts in the half seen Ouali spurn a great chance, as Ratajczak came out on top in the one-on-one duel. An even greater opportunity fell to Onuegbu moments later, after some stellar work from Kevin Wolze on the wing. He crossed to an open and free Onuegbu, though the forward couldn't convert from just four yards out.
Zebras made a great start to the second period
Duisburg made one change at the break, in a bid to liven up their attack. New signing Giorgi Chanturia finally sorted out work permit issues and came on for Kevin Scheidhauer. Paderborn kept the same eleven on the pitch that started the match.
The so-called 'Georgian Messi' slipped Onuegbu through with one of his early touches, but the offside flag would deny him the chance to shoot at goal. Wolze also had a sighter on Kruse's net, though it was no trouble for a 'keeper of his stature. Obinna had a similar attempt, in what was a strong start to the half.
The former-Inter man then started the best move of the match with a lovely piece of skill and got a perfect pass in return from his countryman, Onuegbu. They had found their wavelength but Obinna couldn't find the back of the net, in what was essentially an open goal from 12 yards out.
Paderborn pass up chances before Duisburg win it late on
Paderborn were struggling to find their feet in the second half and that, quite literally, prevented them from going ahead. Several set-piece situations provided Nick Proschwitz with a chance to tap-in at the back post, but couldn't direct it at goal with any power. Moritz Stoppelkamp's effort didn't lack power, only the direction meant his free-kick drifted wide of the post.
That seemed to be the shake that the visitors needed and they created an even better chance in the latter stages. A ball into the box missed everyone but Ouali, though his first-touch let him down and prevented him from getting off a quick strike. When he did, Thomas Meißner was required to hack the ball off the line. What a crucial moment that proved to be, too.
It was the wildcard, the substitute, Chanturia that grabbed the goal. The gamble paid off big time for the Italian coach, as the Georgian picked up Obinna's deflected pass and skipped past two men before smashing into the bottom corner. Cue wild celebrations and goal-scorer and goal-maker both going over to thank their boss.
Duisburg held on for their first win of the season and, most probably, saved Lettieri's skin for at least another matchday. Paderborn's partnership with Gellhaus could be coming to an very soon, if the pre-match billing of 'the loser gets sacked' proves true.