A late goal from Goran Sukalo topped off his brace and secured an important win over Heidenheim for Greuther Fürth.
Sukalo has his side ahead at the break
The Shamrocks started the game in tremendous fashion, and found themselves ahead after just four minutes. Robert Zulj's corner found Goran Sukalo in acres of space in the area after he lost Adriano Grimaldi. The veteran midfielder made no mistake from 12 yards, volleying the ball across goal and into the far corner with a left-footed finish of the highest quality.
Fürth were lucky not to lose their lead before the break after a poor back-pass from Marco Caligiuri went straight to Marc Schnatterer. He failed to take the most of the oppirtunity, however, as his shot was blocked on the edge of the area. The visitors could have had a second goal themselves as Sebastian Freis went through on goal, only to have his effort brilliantly saved by the advancing Jan Zimmermann.
The Slovenian wins it late on
The second half saw Heidenheim come forward more regularly and Grimaldi's bad day at the office continued. After firing straight at Sebastian Mielitz, the forward couldn't convert Schnatterer's cross from just a couple of yards out. Veton Berisha could, and should, have made them pay for the missed chances but Zimmermann stood tall to block Berisha's effort with his legs.
Eventually, Grimaldi would provide a positive contribution. He colelcted the ball on the edge of the area before turning and feeding through Robert Leipertz. He tapped the ball past the sprawling Mielitz, as the Fürth defence cried out for an offside call that never came.
That goal looked to have ensured a share of the spoils, though Sukalo had other ideas. The same combination that came together for the first repeated itself once again. Zulj's free-kick from deep was met by his Slovenian team mate, rising above the rest to loop the ball past Zimmermann and send the traveling support wild with a last-gap winner.